Manes & Motions Needs Riding Gear, Volunteers

Editor’s Note: It’s the holiday season and for many, that means something more than finding the perfect gift or going to parties. For social service groups or charities, it’s the time when they reach out for that extra bit of help. Over the next several weeks Patch will profile some of the charitable groups working in your towns and tell you what they need.

Manes and Motions Therapeutic Riding Center

http://www.manesandmotions.com

WHO THEY ARE:

Provides therapy for children and adults living with physical, cognitive and/or emotional disabilities through the benefits of equine-assisted activities. Manes & Motions began in 1999 by founder Jerri Massi. In the fall of 1999, it launched a pilot program at Wedgewood Stables in Kensington and the program continued to grow as word spread about the many benefits participants and volunteers were experiencing through the equine assisted activities program. In 2002, Manes & Motions became affiliated with Hospital for Special Care in New Britain and began providing therapeutic riding and unmounted equine activities to the hospital's patients who were recovering from traumatic brain injuries.

WHAT THEY NEED:

Gift certificates to Meriden Feed & Supply; flat screen TV, 22' or 32'; run-in sheds for our horse pastures; For the Barn & Horses: Indoor Riding Arena, Carri-Lite Portable Corral/Round Pen, Cordless Drill & Bits, Run-In Sheds for fields, English Bridles, Dressage saddle, Cavaletti, Fly Spray - Bug Block Brand, SWAT -fly ointment, Folding Chairs, Ivermectin Dewormers, Pyrantal Dewormers, Fenbendazole Dewormers, Thrush Buster, Show Sheen or similar product, Tack cleaning supplies, Horse size fly masks, Manure Forks, English Saddle pads square. For the Prop Shed: Bottled Water, Mini Trampoline, CD Music Player, Poster Board, Baby Wipes, Insect Repellant, Sensory Rings. For the Office: DVD Player.

BIG WISH:

Funds to build an indoor riding arena so we can offer our services all year long and not have to cancel on rainy days.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

The group’s volunteer needs are many. Whether your experience with horses is lifelong or non-existent, your willingness to give of yourself and your time is what we need. There are two roles for volunteers who wish to work with the participants and the horses, they are: Horse leaders - responsible for grooming and tacking, and they lead the horses during lessons. Prior horse experience is required for this volunteer opportunity. Sidewalkers - responsible for the safety of the rider. They walk on each side of the horse during the rider's lessons. Their role is to assist the rider in understanding the commands of the instructor and to provide the appropriate support for the rider. No prior horse experience is necessary, as training is provided.

CONTACT:

Sarah Castellani, Theraputic Riding Program Manager

860-832-6217

castells@hfsc.org

874 Millbrook Road, Middletown, 06457

*Source: Connecticut Council for Philanthropy's Holiday Wishlist.