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Foothills Equestrian Nature Center is looking for horses and volunteers for its program, Therapeutic Riding Program of Tryon (TROT). 

 

TROT offers horsemanship skills to adults and children with physical, cognitive, developmental and emotional challenges in a safe, friendly, and supportive environment. Its spring program starts in March. 

 

To help you determine if your horse would be a suitable candidate for the program, TROT is offering its popular horse desensitization play day again on Saturday, March 4. There is no fee for this play date.

 

The day is designed to provide horse owners with the opportunity to work on investigative behaviors with their horse in a controlled environment. Local horse professionals and volunteers from TROT will be on hand to offer assistance and guidance throughout the day. 

 

Horses will be exposed to equipment used in the therapeutic riding program such as the metal ramp, bouncing balls, hula hoops, rings, and the basketball hoop. Horse owners will have the opportunity to practice skills used in trail riding by working through poles, opening gates and experiencing a water hazard. 

 

For more information about TROT or to register for this event, horse owners are asked to contact FENCE at 828-859-9021 or therapeuticriding@fence.org. Sessions will be offered at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, at the covered arena at FENCE.

 

Additionally, FENCE needs volunteers for the program, as they are the lifeblood of TROT.

 

The program is looking for volunteers who can devote two hours, once a week, to supporting participants. Horse experience is not required as volunteers participate in a hands-on training session. The volunteer training session for the spring program will be on February 23 and 25 from 9 a.m. to noon, at the FENCE house and Rosemary’s Barn. If you would like more information, please contact Kathleen Watkins at 828-859-9021 or complete an online application at www.fence.org/trot.

 

 

Submitted by Tracie Hanson