The farm offers a quiet, private and peaceful place for our students to be themselves, and the ability to explore at their own pace without interference. Each animal on the farm has been specifically chosen to be a partner in our program. Many have special needs of their own, and as the students grow within the program very unique connections between the students and animals are formed.

Our farm is not a commercial venue and privacy and safety are our top priorities. We do not offer boarding, lessons or training to the public. Volunteers are 18 years or older and have demonstrated horsemanship skills comparable to United States Pony Club C1 or higher.  As our organization grows we hope to develop new and exciting therapeutic programs and conduct research that contributes to the field of Equine Facilitated Therapies and Activities.

Each year we strive to offer our programming to at least 75 children and adults with special needs, all at no charge to the family. We do this through our farm based programs, community outreach and special event programs for wonderful organizations such as the Fresh Air Fund and the Children’s and Nature Network.

We have made some very important changes to our programming that will go into effect during the 2012 season which are noted in the program descriptions below.

Social Skills Programs

Our Social Skills Program, is a therapeutic horsemanship program based upon Equine Facilitated Learning principles. It is perfectly suited for students who are struggling in the classroom, having difficulties engaging socially with their peers, looking for new ways to express themselves, or those who wish to improve their physical fitness and self-esteem. The Social Skills Program is unmounted, and requires no prior knowledge of horses. In our years of experience we have found that the ground based activities are most effective for reaching student goals and we have designed our programming around this. After all, riding is only a fraction of what true horsemanship is all about!

The Social Skills Program uses colorful props, themed activities, dramatic play, crafts and games to immerse the students into a fun, creative equine experience. The students work in groups to learn good horse keeping skills, teamwork, creative and critical thinking skills, safety and much more. They will also learn new ways to bring trust, honesty, integrity and courage into their every day lives. Students are encouraged to return the following season to act as mentors for the new students.

The Social Skills Program begins May 15th and concludes August 14th, 2012. There are two sessions available, youth for ages 7-14, and teen for ages 14-19. Each session is limited to 6 students.

Horsemanship & Therapeutic Riding

Beginning with the 2012 season, Borrowed Freedom will offer a full year Horsemanship and Therapeutic Riding program for 4 children ages 6-14. These mounted and unmounted sessions prepare students to become caring and effective horse people, while improving their strength, building life skills and self-esteem.  Students in our program learn all phases of horsemanship including equine health, wellness and nutrition, tack selection, function and proper use and care, work on the ground and mounted instruction. They will learn to walk and trot without the use of a horse leader or sidewalker and achieve proficiency in United States Pony Club D standards. The key is that the students are being taught riding skills, with the goal of independence.

During the spring, summer and fall the students will meet in pairs for a mounted lesson each week. During the late fall, winter and early spring the group of four students will meet bi-weekly for unmounted horsemanship.

Private unmounted Horsemanship classes are available for children and adults ages 8 and up.  These sessions are held each week, June through August and are limited to 6 students.

Hippotherapy

Borrowed Freedom strives to offer only the very best to our students, and we often receive requests regarding Hippotherapy, which is a prescribed medical treatment that incorporates the movement of the horse with a specific treatment plan for the client. Borrowed Freedom currently offers pediatric Hippotherapy sessions on a case by case basis.  At this time,  we work exclusively with Jessica Reinartz, PT, DPT of Jump Start Physical Therapy, PLLC. Hippotherapy sessions at Borrowed Freedom are delivered by the Physical Therapist, a PATH (formerly NARHA) instructor in training, and two assistants who have demonstrated USPC C2 rating in horsemanship and handling.

The horses we use are professionally trained for work in Hippotherapy, they are conditioned properly and are treated as a respected member of the team. We have strict written guidelines in force for the care, conditioning and use of the horses during Hippotherapy sessions. New for 2012 is the addition of our Equicizer and therapy room (currently under construction).

Beginning with the 2012 season, Borrowed Freedom will offer a full year of weekly Hippotherapy to 4 children.

If you are a licensed therapist with professional training in Hippotherapy, we welcome you to contact us about Hippotherapy services for your clients.

Pilot Programming

During the 2012 season, we will introduce a series of monthly activities for young children that encourage character skills development, a love of reading, and an introduction to farm animals in a safe and stimulating environment.

There is no fee for our programming

Many of our staff members and volunteers have been in the same position that many of our student families face. Finding $150-200 more each month when you are already paying so much out of pocket for therapeutic services is just not possible. We firmly believe that the joy, self-esteem, independence, trust and caring that students can achieve through this program is priceless. You simply cannot put a price on that! We were inspired by Camelot Therapeutic Horsemanship in Arizona to always provide services at no charge, and we hope that we will inspire others to do the same.

Applications for the Borrowed Freedom program, private Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship instruction are accepted throughout the year. If you are interested in participation, you can begin the registration process online by clicking here.

To be eligible for services at no charge, students must have a documented special need. A referral from a Social Work Coordinator, educator, school district personnel or service agency is preferred. Families may also apply based on an Individual Education Plan (IEP), Individual Family Services Plan (IFSP), Care Plan, or a 504 Designation.

Please contact our program director, Colleen Cheechalk, at 607-658-3298 to set up an appointment to visit, you can also email us.

It is important to note that while our Learning, Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship programs may produce many therapeutic benefits to the students we serve including improved physical fitness and an enhanced sense of well being and self-esteem, it is a recreational and educational equestrian program, not physical, occupational and/or speech therapy, nor is it counseling or a psychological treatment. Therapy services, including Hippotherapy are medical treatments and must always be performed by a licensed physical, occupational or speech therapist or mental health professional.