There are many that are in need of Equine Therapy that their insurance simply just doesn't cover this type of treatment or that their insurance has run out that includes Veterans, single mother's, single father's and families. Here at Oak Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center we don't want to turn away a Veteran, someone that has disabilites or someone that simply needs treatment. We have created this fund so we can when someone doesn't have the money or insurance we can help treatment. Please if you can donate to this cause. Anything will help.

Therapeutic horseback riding is the use of horses and equine-assisted activities in order to achieve goals that enhance physical, emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral and educational skills for people who have disabilities. It not only focuses on the therapeutic riding skills but also the development of a relationship between horse and rider. It uses a team approach in order to provide treatment for the individual with the guidance of riding instructor.

Horses provide a unique neuromuscular stimulation when being ridden through their one of a kind movement. Horses move in a rhythmic motion that mimics the human movement of walking. While riding, the horses stride acts to move the rider's pelvis in the same rotation and side-to-side movement that occurs when walking. The horses adjustable gait promotes riders to constantly adjust the speed to achieve the desired pelvic motion while promoting strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and confidence. One does not have to ride to achieve the desired effects of therapy. Horses can act as an aid by giving those with disabilities a companion to care for. Grooming such as brushing, bathing, and currying aid in joint range of motion and have a relaxing and calming effect.

Therapeutic horseback riding has been used to help people with autism. Especially for autistic children. This activity is said to benefit the communication, motor skills, and social skills of an autistic person. It also causes improvement in responses to verbal and external stimuli and relaxation. People with autism cannot ignore one sense and let another take over the way most people can. Instead, they see, smell, hear, taste, and feel, and think all at once giving them sort of a sensory overload that they cannot handle. Riding a horse helps them concentrate on just the task they are doing rather than everything all at once.

Equine assisted activities work almost like a reward system. When a child with poor communication skills wants the horse to walk they have to use a verbal command to move the horse forward it gives them incentive to give that command. Also, they will begin to build a bond with the horse and also with the handlers of that horse. Although the horses are led during lessons they learn to pull the reins to move the horse to one direction or another. These could be reaching down to grab something or giving the handler a high-five. Individuals with autism will learn to interact with the horses handlers to convey to them what they want the horse to do. If they want the horse to walk they have to learn from the handler how to ask the horse to do that. Also, it helps them to focus on something outside from themselves which is a difficulty for people with autism.

Oak Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center

Oak Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center is situated on 21 acres in Wildomar, California. Wildomar is between the city of Los Angeles and the city of San Diego in Riverside County.

Our Services

Activities

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy, Grooming & Tacking, Ground Work, Therapeutic Riding, Veterans Programs

Disabilities Served

Amputee, Emotional, Behavioral, or Mental Health, Head Trauma/Brain Injury, Hearing Impairment, PTSD

Our Staff

Oak Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center Executive Director and Instructor

Barbara Barnaba

Barbara is PATH Certified. Barbara is also EAGALA certified and heads our EAGALA Psychotherapy Program. She is a retired High School Teacher and is great with children and adults.

Therapeutic Riding Director Assistant:

Therron Hubbel

Therron is a retired Veteran, Firemen and EMT. Therron is also EAGALA certified.

Susan V. Donaldson, MA, MFT #44168

Available Therapy - AA, Grief, Addictions, PTSD, Panic, Anxiety

Comprehensive treatment for trauma, stress related problems, PTSD, panic, anxiety, grief and addictions, using Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing)

Susan Donaldson, MA, MFT #44168, offering comprehensive treatment for trauma, stress related problems, PTSD, panic, anxiety, grief and addictions, using Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing), has teamed up with the Blue Pearl Project Horse Rescue at Oak Meadows Ranch located at 23690 Bundy Canyon Rd. in Wildomar, California, to assist those in need utilizing the rescued horses at Oak Meadows Ranch.

Susan Donaldson, has been treating trauma and stress related problems for 13 years. She is Certified in EMDR and is now a Consultant In Training. She is also Certified in Equilateral (Equine Assisted EMDR) and by EAGALA (The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association).

Tipi

2 Authentic Native American Indian Tipis on the ranch available for private therapy sessions. One is an 18 foot Tipi and the other a 20 foot Tipi.

Horses at Oak Meadows Ranch

Currently there are approximately 72 horses at Oak Meadows Ranch rescued by the Blue Pearl Project. Without the Blue Pearl Project rescuing these horses most would be dead today. These horses today are being used as therapy horses helping with therapy to children and adults, Veterans suffering from PTSD, disabilities, depression, truama and in return getting and giving love back.

Donation Perks to this FundRazr

Individuals or companies that donate a minimum of $250.00 and under $499.99 will have their own full size banner on the arena fencing for all to see for 6 months. Donations of a minimum of $500.00 and under $999.99 will have their own full size banner on the arena fencing for all to see for 1 year. Donations for a minimum of $1,000.00 and under $4,999.99 will have their own full size banner on the arena fencing for all to see indefinitely. Donations for a minimum of $5,000.00 and under $9,999.99 will have their own full size banner on the arena fencing and engraved plaque on buildings for all to see indefinitely. Donations for a minimum of $10,000.00 or more will have their own full size banner on the arena fencing and engraved plaque on the main gate entrance area for all to see indefinitely. Donations for a minimum of $50,000.00 or more will have their own full size banner on the arena fencing and engraved plaque on the main gate entrance area and the option to have a tranquil park like setting with a gazebo used for private therapy sessions with an engraved plaque for all to see indefinitely. We gladly accept anonymous donations and checks also.

Help

With your help we can help as many children and adults in need of Equine Therapy in Southern California. You can make a difference in someone's life by making a donation of any amount. We are a PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Center.

About Blue Pearl Project

Blue Pearl Project / Oak Meadows Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing therapeutic riding in Southern California.

www.OakMeadowsTherapeuticRidingCenter.org