Horsepower...
...is HEALING power !
Hello, 2024 !
This year we will be offering three 8-week sessions:
Spring - April 1st-May 20th
Summer -June 3rd-July 29th (No class July 1st)
Fall - August 12th-Oct. 7th (No class Labor Day)
If you are on our riding list you will be receiving forms for our program sometime in January.
In the meantime, whether new to our program or returning, you can help the process along by going on the Oakland County 4H website and becoming, or renewing, you or your rider’s membership.
Being a member of 4H is a requirement to ride or volunteer in our program. The 4H membership comes at no cost to you.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/michigan_4_h_enrollment
https://msu.samaritan.com/custom/502/volunteer_home
boh-pep
Families and volunteers share the rider’s joy as they accomplish goals and experience success. This shared experience creates a bond among families, their rider, horse and volunteers. This bond we hope lessens the sense of isolation that families often experience.
• Safety is always our number one concern
• Improved motor coordination and balance: Riding a horse requires both coordination and balance. Because of this, therapeutic horseback riding improves these areas in students who may otherwise have difficulties due to their disabilities.
• Core Strengthening: The movement of the horse at walk replicates the normal human gait of walking.
BOH-PEP and our instructors are certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.
BOH-PEP is an Oakland County 4H Youth Development, Michigan State University Extension program. Our primary sponsors are Variety, The Children’s Charity (Tent 5) and the Bloomfield Open Hunt Club.
We are grateful to them and for all the many volunteers that make this valuable, impactful program possible.
Overview
At BOH-PEP we aim to provide an environment to support:
Lessons are designed with the individual rider in mind. Lessons support:
BOH-PEP holds three sessions annually: Spring, Summer and Fall - Mondays, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at:
the Bloomfield Open Hunt Club
405 E. Long Lake Road at Kensington Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304
Volunteer Coordinator : Mame Von Bargen
248-990-1289 marydellen@yahoo.com
- Safety and accomplishment
- Learning, attention and listening skills
- Improved motor coordination and balance
- Core Strengthening
- Improved fine motor skills
- Socialization and group cooperation skills
- Encouragement, laughter & support
Lessons are designed with the individual rider in mind. Lessons support:
- Improvement of physical and cognitive skills
- Attention and listening skills
- Socialization and group cooperation skills
BOH-PEP holds three sessions annually: Spring, Summer and Fall - Mondays, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at:
the Bloomfield Open Hunt Club
405 E. Long Lake Road at Kensington Road
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48304
Volunteer Coordinator : Mame Von Bargen
248-990-1289 marydellen@yahoo.com
Our program
This program is designed for persons with special needs.
Under the guidance of our trained instructors, horseback riding provides an excellent form of physical and emotional therapy.
Our main goal is improving our rider’s body function through the movement of the horse.
Along the way, our program nurtures an improved self-image for each rider. This is accomplished through reinforcing existing abilities and challenging riders to strive for greater achievement within the scope of each individual. Even the most reluctant rider soon discovers that horseback riding is fun as well as beneficial. Each lesson consists of riding instruction, exercise and games on horseback. Parents of riders are enthusiastic in describing the physical progress and improved self-confidence in their rider. We feel our students truly benefit in mind, body and spirit. BOH-PEP is NOT just any pony ride!
- Riders have an evaluation as to their specific needs for optimum benefits of participating in the riding program.
- The age is primarily young children over the age of five, and is also open to ages upward.
- A physician’s note and recommendation is required.
- Therapeutic horseback riding improves upon the social skills of people with disabilities who may have difficulty interacting with others. This improvement starts with the bond that is naturally built between the individual and the horse during the lessons that are given.
- Horses stimulate the senses in a number of ways that are beneficial for people with certain disorders such as those which fall within the autism spectrum. The rider’s vision, hearing, sense of touch and smell are all stimulated by the sounds, smells and the feel of the horse itself. When the horse is in motion, the stimulation is to the student’s tactile senses. This creates both sensory enjoyment and/or appreciation for the act of riding.
Under the guidance of our trained instructors, horseback riding provides an excellent form of physical and emotional therapy.
Our main goal is improving our rider’s body function through the movement of the horse.
Along the way, our program nurtures an improved self-image for each rider. This is accomplished through reinforcing existing abilities and challenging riders to strive for greater achievement within the scope of each individual. Even the most reluctant rider soon discovers that horseback riding is fun as well as beneficial. Each lesson consists of riding instruction, exercise and games on horseback. Parents of riders are enthusiastic in describing the physical progress and improved self-confidence in their rider. We feel our students truly benefit in mind, body and spirit. BOH-PEP is NOT just any pony ride!
Contacts
To learn more please contact:
Carol Hilf BOH-PEP Coordinator
248-613-5169
carol.hilf@yahoo.com
Coordinator : Mame Von Bargen
248-990-1289
marydellen@yahoo.com
Deb Morgan, 4H Program Coordinator
248-347-3860, extension 279
morga194@msu.edu
MSU Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status.
Carol Hilf BOH-PEP Coordinator
248-613-5169
carol.hilf@yahoo.com
Coordinator : Mame Von Bargen
248-990-1289
marydellen@yahoo.com
Deb Morgan, 4H Program Coordinator
248-347-3860, extension 279
morga194@msu.edu
MSU Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status, or veteran status.
important documents
Welcome letter
Dates and times, class schedule, dos and don'ts, BOH PEP registration
a document check list
A document checklist
Rider's famlly information
Rider's family information -must be included so that we can reach you !
To be considered for our program these documents MUST be submitted with application !
- Physician's referral - Down's syndrome release (if applicable) - Emergency treatment consent - PT / OT referral Teacher assessment (if applicable) - Current head/shoulder picture of candidate (school picture would be great)
