Special Equestrians of the Treasure Coast (SETC) was founded in 1992 as a non-profit, tax exempt organization providing educational and therapeutic horseback riding for the physically and mentally challenged in Indian River County. SETC is a Member of PATH, Int or Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International.
Horseback riding improves balance, muscle control, attention span, fine and gross motor skills, posture and coordination. Program participation also develops self-awareness, responsibility, social skills and builds confidence.
Each student is screened by a doctor prior to entry into the program to determine that riding would not be detrimental to the person’s condition. Individual Treatment Plans are established for each rider detailing short term goals. Goals are monitored and updated as riders progress to become as independent as possible.
All information concerning the riders is to remain confidential. Volunteers should not discuss riders’ disabilities, progress or attendance outside of the program.
A lesson volunteer must be at least 14 years old and physically able to work with the horses. Leading and side walking is very physically demanding. All volunteers must be able to work cooperatively with all of our personnel. They must cheerfully follow the instructors’ directions for the safety of the riders. Any volunteer who exhibits inappropriate behavior will be dismissed.
WELCOME
Thank you for volunteering at Special Equestrians. Our riders are so grateful to you because we can only run such a program with your help.
To assist in providing the safest environment possible for everyone involved with Special Equestrians, volunteers are required to attend an orientation and training session. This will include safety and emergency policies and procedures, general rules and hands-on training in all aspects of the operation.
Upon arrival, please sign in and put on a name badge. Check the daily schedule for your assignment. Lesson preparation may include grooming, saddling and tacking the horses prior to student arrival.
In the event that lessons need to be rescheduled or cancelled due to weather or other circumstances, we will make every attempt to notify you prior to the class. Volunteers are requested to notify the instructors as soon as possible if you cannot make your assigned time. If you have questions, please contact Vickie Penly at (772) 532-3299 or leave a message at the barn at (772) 562-7603.
Leading, side walking and assisting in the stable can be physically demanding, and we advise you to pace yourself and take frequent rest and water breaks throughout the day.
During lessons, the instructor is ultimately responsible for each rider, horse and volunteer. All directions should come from the instructor, including the assignment of riders, horses and volunteers. The instructor determines the tack, method of mounting, and the structure of the lesson plans. The instructor will do the talking during the lesson. Please refrain from giving instructions or communicating verbally with the student unless asked by the instructor. Our riders are easily distracted.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
Emergency information for riders and volunteers is located in a file cabinet in the tack room/office.
Emergency information relative to barn location and other information is posted next to the office phone.
Human and equine first aid kits are located in the tack room/office.
A fire extinguisher is located in the tack room/office.
Instructors are certified in CPR and First Aid.
SAFETY RULES
Appropriate shoes and clothing must be worn. No open-toed shoes or sandals of any kind, and no dangling jewelry or earrings are allowed.
Cell phones must be on vibrate while on the property. Volunteers may not use cell phones at any time during a lesson or during mounting and dismounting of the rider. If you are in the barn preparing horses for a lesson and absolutely have to take a call, please step outside the barn and away from students, volunteers, and horses.
No smoking in the barn
No lessons will be given if there is rain or lightning in the area.
All injuries and bad horse behavior must be reported to the instructor.
Use caution when working around the horses, and remember:
Pat horses on the shoulder, not on the nose.
Always lead a horse with a lead rope. Never wrap a lead line around your hand or yourself.
Try to walk around the front of the horse rather than the rear. If you must go behind the horse, put your hand on the rear to let him know you are there.
If a horse appears nervous in its stall, do not allow yourself the possibility of being trapped. Also do not enter a paddock or pasture if a horse is running or bucking. Notify an instructor of any dangerous horse behavior.
Do not duck under the horse’s neck and be careful when going under the cross ties.
All riders wear ASTM-SEI approved helmets. They must wear long pants and use safety stirrups when riding.
The instructor will conduct a safety check of the horse’s tack and rider’s helmet before the student mounts. The instructor checks the girth and tack several times during a lesson. The arena’s gates must be closed before a lesson begins.
If someone falls off during a lesson, all participants are to stop their horses and remain still. The side walkers and instructor help the rider. The horse leader takes care of the horse.
If a horse is loose in the ring, do not let go of the horse you are holding. The instructor will take care of the loose horse.
Never hand feed the horses. Treats and food must be placed in the feed bucket.
No students are allowed in the barn without a volunteer or instructor present. No students are allowed near the pond or in the pastures.
No loose horses on the grounds when riders are on property.
Please ask for permission to school horses while lessons are being conducted.
