Grant from Retired Teachers Foundation Helps MLCC Program

Name: Ther-a-Play Play Date
Start: 2020-11-07T01:30:00-04:00
End: 2020-11-07T16:30:00-04:00
Location: Hinchinbrook Farm

Watch our Ther-a-Play…

COVID-19 Update

Note: This is DEFINITELY a non-medical mask

Updated October 16, 2020

We are about to open for a “normal” fall program. With a few extra steps to provide COVID protection, therapeutic riding, Ther-a-Playdates and special programs will be planned throughout the fall. We need to get back to supporting our Tribe members! There was a modified Open Stable on October 17. We will have a modified Hallowe’en program on October 31. Only the horses will bob for apples!

Here are the new protocols for our programs:

A signed COVID-19 questionnaire will be kept on file. We are now also requiring COVID-19 liability waivers.
ALL arrivals get their temperatures taken.
ALL arrivals are asked to wash their hands in the tack room. This is mandatory because we pass toys, equipment and toss balls to riders, so every one starts with washed hands. We are still spraying shoes with disinfectant, but only if you have been to another farm in the past week.
Masks are no longer mandatory outdoors, but recommended if you must get close to someone outside your bubble, or when in the barn.
There is a port-a-potty until the end of November to accommodate bathroom requirements. The farm house is off limits, so please take care of this at home before coming!
Snacks for Ther-a-playdates are individual portions. No sharing. Water is available in the tack room.
EVERYTHING (tools, equipment, surfaces) are tracked during use and later disinfected by the volunteers after every lesson; and after everyone leaves we spray lysol on general surfaces and door knobs and the horse pads are washed or isolated for 24 hours. Hammocks are run through the dryer on high heat.

There is other work that trained volunteers can be doing if you are not comfortable working close to other people. Paddocks need care, fences mended, brush cleared and horses groomed/lunged. Our outdoor environment allows you to work virtually alone, even while having at least two people on site for safety reasons.

If you do come,

please do not share food, water bottles;
do not cough or sneeze on the animals as the virus can live on surfaces for several days;
remember to cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow;
and above all, keep smiling!

However, the golden rule still applies: if you are not feeling well, regardless of what you think is the problem, then that is the time to stay at home. Summer cold? STAY HOME. Headache? STAY HOME! Get the picture?

Also, if you are not comfortable coming, just let Patty know that you are taking some time off from volunteering.

If you have travelled out of the Atlantic Bubble, you must not come to the farm for at least 2 weeks.

We’ll see everyone at the tail end (another horse joke) of this critical time. Please everyone stay safe.

Animal Care Is A Crucial Part of Business At Hinchinbrook Farm

Read the blog post and testimonial here>>

“Time outdoors as a child aids mental health as an adult”

Horse Boy Playdate The June 5, 2019 edition of South Shore Breaker (Saltwire Network) includes an article that, in part reads: “…more time in nature (is connected with) better cognition development and improved physical health, coordination, balance and agility.”. The article also reports new research that shows adults who spent time in nature as children have better mental health. Read the full article here>>

How Do We Spend Our Money?

Check it out on this page>>

Help increase our capacity — become a volunteer!

The number of children and young adults who can receive the benefits of our therapeutic riding and Ther-A-Play programs is dependent on the number of available volunteers. We always try to have a one-to-one volunteer to rider ratio to meet our risk management guidelines. Life changes result in a certain number of volunteers either being less available or leaving (for example, to go to college). So, we are always looking for new people to join our tribe of about 40 dedicated volunteers and become part of the Hinchinbrook experience.

Volunteers are trained by certified therapeutic riding experts
You must commit to a minimum of 10 hours a month (about 1 session per week, although many volunteers do more than that). The best thing is to choose one day and time that stays the same every week, but additional time is always welcomed.
Once you have put in 100 volunteer hours (including training) you qualify for other free training such as Emergency First Aid, Mental Health Emergency First Aid, T-TOUCH and more — saving you hundreds of dollars
Volunteering at Hinchinbrook qualifies for school and college community service and supervised co-op work
Looks great on a resumé
Really helpful on college applications for related programs (social work, animal care, psychology, etc.)

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“FREE REINS” Documentary

GET YOUR POPCORN — AND A BOX OF TISSUES — AND THEN CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE CBC DOCUMENTARY, “FREE REINS”, ABOUT HINCHINBROOK FARM AND THE MEMBERS OF OUR TRIBE (45 MINUTES)

For the present, this video can only be viewed in Canada. We will update the link once an international access site has been confirmed.

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Our web site is a great place to get to know about therapeutic riding and the people and critters that make up this charity. Check out all the information found on the many web pages under the tabs in our menu. Click on that big DONATE button at the top right!

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