Watch our Ther-a-Play…

Name: Ther-a-play Playdate
Start: 2021-05-01T13:30:00-03:00
End: 2021-05-01T16:30:00-03:00
Location: Hinchinbrook Farm

COVID-19 Update

Note: This is DEFINITELY a non-medical mask

Updated October 16, 2020

With a few extra steps to provide COVID protection, therapeutic riding, Ther-a-Playdates and special programs are continuing as usual. We need to get back to supporting our Tribe members! There was a modified Open Stable on October 17. We had a modified Hallowe’en program on October 31. Although we had to cancel Silent Santa, our winter lessons and playdates continue. There should be no interruption right through spring if Nova Scotia continues to get good results from its prevention programs.

Here are the COVID 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 or sanitize 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.
Masks are no longer mandatory outdoors, but recommended if you must get close to someone outside your bubble, and mandatory when in the barn. You’ll find most volunteers wearing them at all times.
We have installed an outside door to the farmhouse bathroom, so it is usable in winter — but you have to disinfect it after each use, please! The port-a-potty returns in the late spring.
Snacks for Ther-a-playdates are individual portions. No sharing. Water is available in the tack room. We are now making hot chocolate and cider again.
Surfaces in our shared areas are disinfected each day.

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. Feel a cold coming on? 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 Nova Scotia, or you have had contact with someone who has returned to Nova Scotia, 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)

This video can only be viewed in Canada.

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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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