Information & applications forms are  available at

Olds Neighborhood Place, 556-7161

Accredited Supports to the Community

Olds Association for Community Living

Padnoma Support Services

Horizon School

Fall Session 2008

Completed Rider Applications* and Fees Due:   August 25

Horse Testing: Sept 15th, 5:00 pm

Volunteer Training: Sept 15th, 7:00 pm  @ Calouri Pavilion, Olds

Lessons:

 Tuesdays - 4:00, 4:50, 5:45, 7:00; Sept 23 -Oct 21

Wednesdays 5:00, 6:00 Sept 24 - Oct 22

Horse Show/Games Night  Oct 28,  4:30 -8:30 

* Forms must be to Karla by this date. A phone conversations is not a completed application!

Board of Directors

Diane Luxen, Olds 556-2175

Karla Brautigam, Didsbury 335-9146

Sandra Boutwell, Olds 556-7247

Gary Piper, Carstairs

Darlene Austin, Innnisfail

Shelene Williams, Carstairs 337-2950

Member of the Canadian Therapuetic Riding Association (CanTRA), meeting national standards for insurance

UP COMING EVENTS

 Fall Riding Session Sept 23-Oct 28  see side panel for details

Mail rider forms and fees to: Box 1637, Didsbury, AB, T0M 0W0 by  August 25

Contact Sandra to register for volunteer training.403-556-7247

Health, Harmony, and Horses; Okotoks, AB, Sat. Sept 20th

Ticket $30/Adult available from Mount View Special Riding Association members!  Early bird sales till Sept 13th.

Special Thanks to our donors:

Carstairs Community Chest

Viking Royal Purple

Esso Imperial Oil

Rocky Mountain Wranglers

Dr. Harvey Cole, Colt Training Clinic

Conneco Philips

Bowden Light Horse Club

Olds United Way

Outlaws 4H Horse Club

Delia Royal Purple

The Tack Corral

PLEASE NOTE: Riding fees will be increasing for 2008

What is M.V.S.R.A?

It is a recognized charitable organization formed in 1983 to provide a therapeutic and recreational riding program for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities. It is completely run by volunteers.

 Who is Helped?

The disabilities that are helped by horseback riding are many. For example:

Mental Retardation   Cerebral Palsy   Emotional Disturbances   Blindness     Deafness   Amputation   Stroke Victims     Spina Bifida     Muscular Dystrophy Multiple Sclerosis   Poliomylitis   Autism   Developmental Delay   Etc.

Our Program

The Mount View Special Riding Association was formed in 1983 by dedicated volunteers. Starting out with six volunteer horses and 20 riders the numbers have doubled.

Riding lessons are held at the Caluori Pavillion in Olds, Alberta, thanks to the support of the Olds Agricultural Society - twice a week in the Spring and Fall.

Riders are taught to by certified Therapeutic riding instructors and receive support (both physical and psychological) from trained volunteers. Safety is a top priority but so is fun!

 Why Riding?

Historically, wounded Greek soldiers utilized horseback riding as a form of rehabilitation. The horse provides a unique stimulus to therapy. No longer is the patient dealing with cold impersonal equipment but a living breathing being.

In the last eighty years therapeutic riding has been recognized by many professionals; doctors, therapists and educators as a beneficial form of therapy. It has been proven that riding benefits people with disabilities in many ways:

Physical Benefits

The warmth and motion of the horse, and the exercise the rider receives improves balance and coordination, increases circulation, speeds reflexes, reduces spasticity and strengthens muscles.

Psychological Benefits

Presenting the people with disabilities with a new and exciting challenge - to be in control of a horse - gives great motivation to try and to succeed.This results in increased self confidence in all areas of life.

Social Benefits

The unique relationship between rider and horse is only one of the social benefits. Involving disabled riders with able bodied volunteers develops social skills necessary in everyday life. Friendship, trust and respect for everyone's abilities is a strong tie.

How to get involved:

RIDER - Registration forms can be obtained by calling the M.V.S.R.A. Most ages are accepted. The applicant's doctor is required to fill in a medical questionaire.

MEMBER - Voting memberships are $5.00 anually. This helps to cover our insurance fees. As well, members receive our newsletter.  Members should attend the Annual General Meeting

VOLUNTEER - Volunteers are the lifeblood of the M.V.S.R.A. They help out at lessons by leading horses, sidewalking with riders, providing horses, grooming horses and getting riders ready. And that's just for lessons! They also organize and volunteer at fundraisers, other promotional events and our annual horse show and trail ride.

DONOR - Donations are always welcomed to help us carry on the riding program. Some of the areas that donations are used for:

• horse hauling fees (no horse, no lesson!)
• special riding equipment
• instructor training and volunteer training
• special projects, i.e. Horse show/conferences
• sponsoring horses or riders
• operating expenses and insurance