New Kingdom trail riders
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"In riding a horse we find freedom."
Time for Rider and
Volunteer Enrollment
Calling all riders and volunteers! It is time to enroll
in New Kingdom Trailrider’s summer riding programs. The Staff from New
Kingdom Trailriders will be at the South end (Von Maur end) of South Park
Mall, Moline, IL on February 6, 2010. Beginning at 9:30 a.m. until noon we
will be distributing applications to riders and volunteers for the New
Kingdom Trailriders’ 2010 riding season! Prospective and returning riders
and volunteers as well as the general public are invited to attend.
General information and videos about therapeutic riding with New Kingdom
will be presented at 10:00 a.m. Those riders who attend this meeting will
have the best chance of getting into the program as applications are
accepted on a first come first served basis. After February 6th,
applications will be available to those who request one from our mall
office.
Those eligible to ride must be at least 3 years of age and be physically or
mentally disabled and have a doctors’ approval. Those interested in
volunteering must be at least 14 years old and be available to attend
training sessions. Volunteer jobs range from working directly with horses
and riders, to maintenance and clerical tasks. People with specialized
skills such as horse handlers and physical or occupational therapists are
needed. Training will begin in April. Check the calendar for dates.
We encourage you to give NKT a try. We look forward to another busy but
exciting season. You can be a part of the process of making dreams come true
for many people with disabilities.
New Kingdom Trailriders is a non-profit organization, accredited by North
American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and has served
people with
For an application or any further information about the program contact
Barbara Clauson, at (309)787-0627.
Why Horseback Riding?
Horseback riding helps mentally and physically challenged people, achieve a quality of life that is improved, enhanced, and enriched. Based on input from doctors, therapists, teachers and parents, the student's individual goals are designed to complement ongoing therapy and education. The benefits of therapeutic horsemanship are fourfold in addition to being a recreational activity:
Mentally, the stimulation of riding and the bonding of the horse and rider increase the motivation to learn. The horse reinforces directionality and the riders learn sequencing when they learn to groom and saddle their horse. Also, through riding, the rider is benefited by improved concentration.
Physically, the three-dimensional motion of the horse provides the rider hip and back action that simulates natural walking. No matter how difficult it is for a person to exercise otherwise, overall body tone is improved. Riding gives a new freedom to those in wheelchairs. The horse stimulates all the body's functions as well as improves posture, balance, and coordination and strengthens & relaxes muscles and increases joint mobility.
Emotionally, contact with horse and horsemanship training provides a non-competitive setting for learning. New abilities, increased self-discipline, improved concentration all help to build self-confidence and self esteem.
Socially, horseback riding nurtures a positive self image. Riders may, for the first time in their lives, experience some independence and a sense of being part of a team. The rider learns new skills, gains new confidence and begins to participate in a sport. The benefits are incalculable, but obvious to all of us.
When a person with a disability rides a horse, the horse becomes that person's equalizer. He is performing as a normal person. The horse is a live animal that responds and shows emotion. He's mobile, he's large, lifting the person up both psychologically and physically.
It is important to remember that the horse is held and not led. The child is taught to ride, he is not just taken for a ride.
Mission Statement
New Kingdom Trailriders (NKT), founded in 1984 by a group of Christian horse owners, is a NARHA accredited, non-profit, tax exempt corporation. This community service of therapeutic horseback riding provides a combination of physical, mental, social, and educational therapy that is often more effective than conventional modes. NKT provides these services for the benefit of people with physical and mental disabilities in the greater IA/IL Quad Cities area and surrounding communities.
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Last Updated: September 4. 2009