Welcome To Chehalem Mountain Ranch and Therapy Riding Center Inc
Where Fjord horses are making a difference, one life at a time.
From left to right: Brette, Lillja, Falene, and Gefion
What exactly is Therapy Riding?Therapy Riding is the partnership of horse, rider, and trained instructor, providing benefits that are as diverse as the participants themselves.
Although Europe has been utilizing Therapy Riding for many years, the concept is still fairly new in the United States. Because there has not been enough extensive research performed on the therapy it is unfortunately still considered "recreational".
Professonals familiar with Therapy Riding, however, are beginning to recognize the unique advantages that it offers in all areas; physical, emotional, and mental.
From improved balance, muscle control, and flexibility, to increased self-confidence, self esteem, and assertiveness, Therapy Riding is becoming a more and more popular therapy tool.
For example, persons with the inability to walk, benefit from Therapy Riding by the therapy horse movement as it simulates human movement at the walk, stimulating the muscles and nerves of the rider. This movement also provides a sense of independence, of liberation for the rider apart from the wheelchair.
Chehalem Mountain Ranch was the birthplace of Chehalem Mountain Therapy Riding Center, Inc as a result of a field trip with a local group of disabled high school students. The students' reactions when interacting with the horses made such an impact on owner/operators Rudy & Shannon Kaplan that the idea of becoming a therapy riding center was adopted.
From the conception of the idea to the actual implementation, many obstacles had to be overcome and many more continue to reveal themselves, however, as with any ministry, we do not go thru it alone and Philippians 4:13 becomes more apparent: I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
At Chehalem Mountain Ranch and Therapy Riding Center Inc. we believe there is no such thing as false hope and that The Lord uses all creation for His glory. We were blessed that the ranch already possessed what it needed to get started, great horses, a place out of the weather for riding, and a warm waiting place for family, and many people that wanted to make a difference.
At Chehalem Mountain Ranch and Therapy Riding Center Inc. we encourage parents to dream big on behalf of their children, as it is the parents that play the biggest part in the success of their children's therapy. We set individual goals at the beginning of each session and work with each student in private lessons to achieve those goals. We believe that the only "handicap" one encounters, is the inability to believe. "Can't" is a four letter word at Chehalem Mountain Ranch and Therapy Riding Center Inc. and all are discouraged from using it.
Olympic gold medalist Wilma Rudolph was born with polio. She could barely use her left leg and suffered pneumonia and scarlet fever before the age of four, but hard work and determination changed Rudolph's life. With vigorous therapy she regained the use of her leg, began participating in track meets, and went on to win three Olympic gold medals as well as many more races. "My doctors told me I would never walk again." she said, "My mother told me I would. I believed my mother."
If you are interested in registering for private lessons at Chehalem Mountain Ranch and Therapy Riding Center Inc. contact us at 503-314-3176 or email us at director@chehalemmountainranch.com. 2008 CMRTRCI Calendar
* Winter Quarter (10 Weeks) – Registration Begins December 26
January 7 – March 15
* Spring Quarter (10 Weeks) – Registration Begins March 9
March 31- June 14
* Summer Quarter (10 Weeks) – Registration Begins June 23
July 7 – September 20
* Fall Quarter (10 Weeks) – Registration Begins September 22
October 6 – December 20