Meet Your Neighbor: Riders Unlimited now adding veterans, others

OAK HARBOR — Since it was founded in 1997, Riders Unlimited, Inc. has been helping individuals with disabilities through equine assisted activities and hippotherapy. Now, Riders Unlimited offers specific programs for military veterans and people struggling with mental health issues.

The mental health program is still in the planning stages while Riders Unlimited seeks physical therapists and occupational therapists to assist with the program. The veterans’ program, Cavalry Campaigners, is now open for registration. It is available free of charge to military veterans and active service personnel with physical, mental or emotional disabilities.

Veterans program is free and registration is now open

“The veterans’ program is offered free to veterans,” said Riders Unlimited Program Director Maureen Mullins. “After all, they put out an awful lot in their lives for us every day, and it wouldn’t be fair to charge them.”

The program gives veterans hands-on experiences with horses.

“They work with the horses, grooming them and talking to them. Horses don’t judge you, which is why they are excellent therapy animals,” Mullins said. “We watch to see their reaction to the horses and the horses’ reaction to them, to see if they’re ready for more challenges, like riding.”

Mullins said horses are sensitive to the human body and emotions, which aids in healing.

“Horses can actually hear your heartbeat and feel it 14 feet away. That’s why they work so well with veteran and mental health programs,” Mullins said. “Horses take you where you are — angry or sad — and they can help you work through those emotions just by being there and letting you feel them. It’s truly an amazing thing.”

Many of Riders Unlimited clients who come with physical handicaps find healing through hippotherapy in the nonclinical environment of a barn. The rhythmic movement of a horse’s gait mimics the human gait, and riding can improve balance, muscle tone and range of motion.

Horseback riding stimulates the spine and brain

“Riding stimulates the spine and the brain and makes connections in the brain,” Mullins said.

Mullins spoke of a client with multiple sclerosis who arrived to her first appointment in a wheelchair. Her goals were to stretch her muscles and maintain her strength.

“After 20 weeks, she walked out of here,” Mullins said.

The bond between a horse and its rider can foster interpersonal skills and encourage delayed development. Equine therapy helped Mullins’ own daughter say her very first word in a barn at the age of 12.

“Horses build confidence,” Mullins said.

Karen Barnes of Lindsey said horses have built personal confidence and physical strength in her daughter, 34-year-old Allison Barnes.

“Allison has been riding for about 15 years, and it has helped a lot,” Karen said. “It gives her something to look forward to and keeps her active. It builds her confidence and builds her strength.”

Classes at Riders Unlimited are led by Lindsay Bille, a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) certified instructor.

“Lindsey has been on horses since she was 5 or 6 and used to jump competitively. She has a very extensive background from the ground up,” Mullins said. “Being a part of PATH, we have specific guidelines we have to follow. It’s a very positive thing for our riders.”

Riders Unlimited offers classes to individuals with and without disabilities from age 4 to senior adult.

Riders Unlimited offers class to to ages four to seniors

“If they’re able and capable and it’s something they want to do, we’ll work with them,” Mullins said. “We’re here to help folks enjoy a better quality of life. For some people with disabilities, once they’re on a horse, they’re free. They can direct the horse, and it gives them freedom.”

Riders Unlimited will host a horse show on Sept. 24.

“They can show family and friends what they’ve been doing. The riders love it,” Bille said.

Riders Unlimited is currently looking for physical and occupational therapists as well as people to serve on the organization’s board. Riders Unlimited is at 3140 Behlman Road in Oak Harbor. For more information, call 419-898-6164 or visit www.ridersunlimited.org.

Contact correspondent Sheri Trusty at sheritrusty4@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Meet Your Neighbor: Riders Unlimited now adding veterans, others