Each student’s lesson is customized to meet his or her individual needs. Instructors work with the parents, teachers, and therapists to achieve each individual’s goals. Our instructors work one-on-one with each student teaching them riding skills and sportsmanship through different activities and games. The interaction with the instructor and volunteers, during the lesson, help the student learn important lessons about socialization.
Our students often form bonds with their horses. This bond helps our students learn responsibility and to rise above their disabilities with a new found freedom of movement and skill.
Individuals with the following disabilities commonly participate and benefit from equine facilitated therapy and activities:
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Cerebral Palsy
- Brain Injuries
- Visual Impairment
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Down Syndrome
- Amputations
- Mental Retardation
- Attention Deficit Order
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Learning Disabilities
- Autism
- Deafness
- Spina Bifida
- Cardiovascular accident/stroke
Our program accepts students between the ages of 5 and 17. At the moment, there is a 2-3 year wait to become a permanent student. However, this doesn’t mean that your child will not be able to ride during that time. Once your child is on our wait list, he or she will become a substitute rider. When one of our regular students is unable to come to his or her lesson, we call our sub-riders to fill the spot.
First step is to contact us to determine the eligibility of your child. You will then need to complete and return the attached forms. They must be filled out completely. The Student Medical History and Physician’s Statement must be filled out and signed by the student’s medical doctor. This form must be updated annually.
- Student Application and Health History
- Medical History and Physician’s Statement
- Authorization for Medical Treatment
Please send the forms to Xenophon Program Director, P.O. Box 16, Orinda, CA 94563.
Once Xenophon receives the completed application packet, the student’s name will be entered onto our wait list. You will be called when there is an opening.
When your child comes for lessons, he/she will be provided with a helmet. We ask that students wear closed-toed shoes; tennis shoes are okay. The student may wear either shorts or long pants, whichever is most comfortable.
All lessons are weekly, for a duration of 30 minutes. Our program operates from mid-February through mid-November. Our program schedule is posted under the calendar tab on our home page.
Lesson times are as follows:
- Weekdays (Mon – Thurs) 3:00 p.m., 3:45 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 5:15 p.m.
- Weekends (Sat) 8:45 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:15 a.m., and 11:00 a.m.
Lessons are $315 per session. We require twenty-four hours notice if you will not be present at your lesson. Scholarships are available if needed; for more information please contact the Program Director.