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OAT currently meets twice a week in the evening for half hour riding sessions. We have as many
as 3 sessions per night depending on the number of participants scheduled. Our Board members make every attempt
to best match horses to riders based on their abilities and physical needs. A few of our Board members
who have participated in some training provided by NARHA Certified Instructor, Bettina Schultz, plan activities for each riding
session to challenge the participants physically, mentally, and emotionally. We are working to develop
lesson plans geared towards each individual and their needs. All riding sessions encourage social interaction,
increased independence and creativity and it is our goal to provide a personal, friendly and caring learning environment.
OAT is in need of a permanent location. OAT has been offered use of an indoor arena for inclement weather
and also an outdoor arena/round pen; both of which require trailering to and from. Personal trucks and trailers are
used for trailering. It would be beneficial to the program to find a single location to stable the horses and to
offer riding sessions. A partially or fully enclosed full-size arena, a barn with tack/feed rooms,
stalls, turnout, and perhaps a modest classroom would create opportunities for community service, riding lessons for the public, day camps, therapeutic
Staff and Volunteer training, horse shows for the disabled in our program and neighboring programs and the facility could
even be used to host events for other local organizations such as 4-H, XIT Rodeo, Play Days, Barrel Races and Roping
events. Please keep our organization in mind for your charitable giving in 2010.
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