7 minute read
Texas Therapeutic Riding Center Texas Therapeutic Riding Center
by Wendy Werther Haynes
Hardly a week goes by that a car doesn’t wind up in the ditch on the McMillen S-curve in Wylie. (Some people just will not take the 15mph speed limit sign seriously.) But something good is also happening each week on the S-curve. Behind the thick cover of trees and the delightful faces of donkeys, there is an incredibly special place called Texas Therapeutic Riding Center (TxTRC), where individuals with diverse emotional and physical needs can experience the healing power of the horse through equine-assisted activities and therapies.
Established in 2018, TxTRC is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides therapeutic sports riding for children and adults with special physical, cognitive, sensory, learning, social and/or emotional needs. Classes are taught by PATH International instructors, with specially trained and selected equines, and assisted by trained volunteers.
TxTRC has only been in their new location on McMillen since May 2, 2023, when they moved from their former location at North Texas Equestrian Center, Inc. (NTEC) in Wylie. Currently, they have 11 therapy horses, one full time employee, two part time employees, and the rest are volunteers. Each therapy horse provides lessons to between 8-10 clients each week. TxTRC fills a huge need in the community for children and adults with special needs (both physical and mental), veterans and their family members, and essentially anyone with cognitive, sensory, learning, social, and emotional needs who can benefit from equine-assisted therapy. But with over 100 people on their waiting list right now, TxTRC can really use immediate and ongoing support from the Wylie community.
The horse is a wonderful equalizer, and many of TxTRC’s riders, once mounted, experience a freedom of movement and ability that they may not have in other areas of their life. In addition to being involved in an activity that provides physical, emotional, social, and cognitive benefits, riders also can display their equestrian skills in both adaptive and able-bodied competition. From Special Olympics to the Paralympics, there is a pathway for any rider to pursue their competitive goals at TxTRC. Some students also participate in able-bodied jumping and show competition at the state and regional levels. Riding teaches students independence, builds confidence, instills pride, and promotes overall health and wellness, among many other benefits.
In addition to riding, students learn how to care for horses in a stable setting. Students can choose from private lessons that start at 30 minutes, to semi-private and group lessons that last from 45 minutes to 60 minutes. The fee for a lesson is $55, a substantially discounted rate from the actual cost of riding, when you factor in property costs, tack, vet expenses, insurance, salaries, etc.
Hippotherapy is also available to clients as an approach to physical therapy, where riders work with an occupational therapist to address physical health and focuses on specific outcomes, for example range of motion. For people on the waiting list, there are also opportunities to participate in TxTRC community programs such as Mommy and Me, horse yoga, Painting Ponies, and other activities that provide horse experiences outside of riding.
TxTRC instructors attend training every year with Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International to become certified in horsemanship. PATH Intl. was formed in 1969 to promote safety and optimal outcomes in equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) for individuals with special needs. PATH Intl. celebrates ability, optimism, diversity and a shared love of equines. PATH Intl. certifies and accredits centers, instructors, and equine specialists according to a set of field-tested standards to ensure the highest levels of safety, ethics, and effectiveness in the equine-assisted services (EAS) industry. Instructors must complete workshops and pass both written and practical exams to become certified ~ continued to teach equine-assisted services. Advanced certifications include programs to ensure a thorough knowledge of a variety of physical, cognitive, intellectual and emotional disabilities and how this knowledge relates to therapeutic riding and other equine-assisted services.
Shelby Nicoletti is the program director and head instructor at TxTRC. Shelby has been in the equine industry for nearly 20 years. After graduating from Baylor University with a BBA in Business Journalism, Shelby decided to follow her passion and worked under many top equine professionals in a variety of disciplines. In 2008, she stumbled upon a job in therapeutic riding, and discovered a career that combined horses and helping others. Shelby has had the opportunity to work for several PATH International Premier Centers and achieved her Certified Horsemanship Master Instructor Certification, PATH Intl. Advanced Instructor Certification, USEF Para Dressage Coaching Certification and Equestrian Special Olympics Coaching Certification. She has coached riders to high placings in Special Olympics and AQHA/NSBA shows for Equestrians with Disabilities. Shelby is also a certified Texas Special Education Teacher. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family — her husband and three children.
According to Shelby, TxTRC is very happy to be in their new home in Wylie, though their needs are plenty. She said TxTRC is always in need of volunteers and funds for food, supplements, medical care, farrier services, supplies, labor costs, etc.; however, with the new location comes additional costs such as a new arena, another barn, fencing, and turn out paddocks. “We are about to start a capital campaign for the new arena,” said Shelby. “We have numerous fundraisers throughout the year including North Texas Giving Day, Painting with Ponies (held in June), and in May we held the 5th Anniversary Gala Bourbon & Bridles at the Herman Marshall Whiskey Tasting Room in downtown Wylie.” There is usually a fundraiser every month or every other month throughout the year, and there are numerous sponsorship and grant opportunities, as well as a workplace giving program and company donation matching programs.
Unlike instructors who are certified in EAS, TxTRC volunteers do not need any prior horse experience – only the desire to make a difference. Volunteers must be 16 years or older, complete a volunteer application, and attend a new volunteer orientation. Volunteer opportunities include sidewalkers who directly assist riders during the lesson, horse leaders who assist the horse, handyman to fix and build things at the center, and administrative assistant who helps with paperwork, rider and volunteer recruitment, and photography and social media.
Said Shelby, “At TxTRC we are a community where horses heal, so we strive to be a light in our community with volunteerism, with our clients, and their families, having a place for everyone to come and enjoy horses and achieve their riding goals.”
To learn more about TxTRC, the lives that are changed, and how you can get involved, you can visit them at https://txtrc.org/, on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/TxTRC and Instagram at @TXTRC. If you are interested in becoming a TxTRC client, you should call the office at 469-237-6723 to schedule an unmounted client evaluation and tour with Shelby.
As a 501(c)3 organization, TxTRC relies on donations and community support to fulfill their mission. This funding provides care for their therapy horse herd, facility maintenance, and providing equine assisted activities and therapies to their clients. You can make a tax-deductible donation online at https://txtrc.betterworld.org/donate, via PayPal through the QR code below, and of course by mail to P.O. Box 1837 Wylie, TX 75098. If you are so inclined, you can visit TxTRC in person to drop off your donation at 2300 McMillen Rd. •
