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Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Horse Program |
Therapeutic Riding at the Ranch
One of the key programs we desire to enhance and expand is our Therapeutic Riding Program.
Glenn Ista Arena plans can be viewed by clicking here.
Can you grant some wishes for us? See our TRP Wish List.
See our Herd Guidelines for donating a horse. (As of December 2009, our herd is full.)
Our programs and instructor are nationally accredited under NARHA, EAGALA, and EFMHA. The Therapeutic Riding Program currently provides the following services at our campus in Minot:
Therapeutic Riding: Therapeutic Riding utilizes the recreational aspect of riding and basic care for the horse to encourage physical, psychological, social, and educational benefits for people with and without disabilities. Participants are instructed in riding skills and take part in numerous therapeutic activities with their horse. Therapeutic benefits are both mental and physical with improved feelings of self-worth and competence, mastery of skills, and processing thinking patterns. Many clients bond with a specific horse, which usually has had a similar background as the client -- such as neglect, physical and/or emotional abuse. The clients take on the role of a caregiver for their horse and as they work together, a relationship builds on trust, honesty, and respect. Sometimes this is the first true relationship of give and take that a client develops. Once that bond has formed, there is no other horse in the world for the client.
For more information about the Therapeutic Riding Program, please contact Kristi Schaefer, director, at 701-852-3628 or 1-800-593-3098.
Emma's Story
Over the years we have seen much success with the Therapeutic Riding Program. Kids who have not been able to be reached by other therapeutic means have made dramatic breakthroughs in our Therapeutic Riding Program. Take Emma for example, a young girl who was physically and emotionally abused throughout her childhood.
When Emma entered Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, she initially refused therapy, choosing instead to close herself off. She did not smile, laugh, or share stories with others. She protected herself by isolating herself from everyone and lashing out at anyone trying to help her.
Emma volunteered at the Hippotherapy program as a side walker (walking next to and supporting the rider) and an immediate change was seen by everyone working with her. She began to smile, warmed up to the riding instructor and other volunteers, and began to attend her therapy sessions.
Emma’s therapist integrated the Hippotherapy program into her treatment plan and Emma began to reflect the hope that others had for her in her own life. She was voted the “Volunteer of the Year” by the other individuals working with the program. This young girl was able to come out of her protective shell and learn to trust those who cared for her, because of the warmth, safety, and trust of the horses.
Enjoy photos of our horses as you read further and consider becoming an Equine Angel!
The Equine Angels augment the care of our horses, many of whom also are rescued from an uncertain future. Working with the horses is sometimes the first step our children experience toward re-establishing trust, just like for Emma or Jimmy, who was friends with Falage, our inspiration for this heartwarming program. Equine Angels are integral to funding of the therapeutic riding program. Won't you consider becoming an "Equine Angel" too?
As you consider participating as an Equine Angel, please read this story about Gus...a very special horse. Then choose your very own Angel horse--photos and bios are listed as you scroll down.
For more information about the Therapeutic Riding Program at the Ranch, or to learn how to become an Equine Angel, contact Kristi Schaefer, director, at 701-852-3628 or 1-800-593-3098. |
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| |  Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) is the use of the horse as a tool in a mental health treatment plan. The horse is used to mirror the client’s actions and reactions in an attempt to provide another avenue of working through difficulties in their everyday lives. We have seen the most success with this approach in children and families processing their interpersonal relationships with each other and identifying themselves with the horses. Our EAP program is used at Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch with licensed therapists actively taking part in each session with their clients, who would normally have difficulty in the traditional office setting. Read More... |
| |  Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational and speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. Hippotherapy comes from the Greek word “hippos,” meaning horse. It is part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes.
Read More... |
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Equine Angels
The Equine Angels program is named in memory of Falage, a white Arabian who made a big difference in the life of one young boy and many staff.
Read More... |
| Andy | 
Andy, (1991) is a Red Roan (Strawberry Roan), Quarter Horse gelding. He came from a cattle ranch near Parshall, N.D., in Dec of ‘07. Andy was used to work cattle, trail rides, and parades. At the Ranch, Andy enjoyed staff riding as he became accustomed to DBGR and the rest of the herd. Now he enjoys the kids too!
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| Buster |  Buster (1985) is a Quarter Horse. Buster is our horse of two coats! He’s brown in the summer and black in the winter, which can confuse some clients if they are not paying attention to his white markings. Buster’s new job this year was becoming one of our Hippotherapy horses. He did a great job and didn’t flinch when balls were bounced off his back and under his feet. Buster was donated in September of ’06 from Minot, N.D. |
| Charlie | 
Charlie (1999) is a gelding who came to the Ranch in November 2004. He used to be owned by Ron Hett, the Ranch’s formerchief operations officer. Ron relocated to another home in North Dakota, but wanted Charlie to have the best of homes—and he has that at the Ranch!
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Dude (2003) is a red roan Quarter Horse gelding donated by Gloria Hoban of Kenesaw Neb. Dude loves all the attention he gets from our female clients. He’s a true lady’s man! He has been doing well in our Equine Facilitated Pyschotherapy groups and staff enjoy riding him on the trails. Read More... |
| Flugseal |  Floogie (1984) is an Icelandic. Her name, Flugseal, means “fly like a bird.” Floogie came to the Ranch with Vindur, another Icelandic. She is gentle as a lamb and is especially good for those residents who might be timid about grooming horses, as she stands very still while they pick up her feet to clean her hooves. Floogie previously was in a therapeutic riding program in Colorado. |
| Gonzo |  Gonzo (1997) is a sorrel paint Quarter Horse Gelding. He was donated in June of 2009 from a family that has donated two other horses to our TRP in the past. Gonzo is used to the show ring (mostly English Riding), so he's having to adjust to the wide open spaces here and the occasional deer, rabbit, or bird that jumps up in front of him. |
| Hank | 
Hank (1992) is a big, thick, bay paint gelding. The star on his forehead is almost in the shape of a heart. He was born in a herd of wild horses and was bought as a yearling. He used to work on a cattle ranch in Hot Springs,. S.D. Hank is enjoying the relaxing life of a trail riding horse at DBGR. He was donated in Dec of ’06. |
| Heidi |  Heidi (1989) is a Norwegian Fjord. Her two-toned mane and her curiosity of all things new draws attention to her. She can no longer have foals and the breeding farm near Crosby, N.D., donated her to us in March 2007. Heidi is a sweetheart and loves attention from kids. She is used for Hippotherapy and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy groups. |
| Itch |  Itch (1990) is so-named because he likes to have his head and neck scratched! Itch came from Bottineau, N.D., where he participated with youth in a church camp. Itch is one of the favorites with the Ranch youth. It's also fun for the staff and residents to watch Itch rolling around trying to scratch that one particularly hard-to-reach spot on his back! |
| Johnny |  Johnny (1985) is a Quarter Horse. He came from the Bismarck area in November 2008 and has brought great joy to the kids that he’s worked with. Johnny enjoys being groomed and, of course, fed his senior equine by our clients. We hope that Johnny will be just as wonderful in our Hippotherapy Program as he has been in our Therapeutic Riding and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy programs. |
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Lucy (1984) is a Quarter Horse. She has spent most of her life only one mile from the Ranch. The Langseth family donated Lucy after their daughter Kristy volunteered with our Hippotherapy Program. Lucy fit right in with that program and is used for Therapeutic Riding with our DBGR children. She and Ziggy have become best friends. Read More... |
| Madge |  Madge (1995) is a dark sorrel Appendix mare. She was donated in October 2009 from a family in Willow, Alaska! Thus far, she has traveled the furthest distance to DBGR's TRP program. Madge was injured on the trip, so she spent several weeks in the barn. She enjoyed all the extra attention there, and is currently on her assessment period. But we have high hopes that Madge will be staying with us. |
| Opie |  Opie (1985) is a Palomino Quarter Horse gelding. He started in the Hippotherapy program a month after he arrived at the Ranch and since then, has been doing very well. His rider loves to give him a pat on the shoulder while riding. Opie has found many friends in our children, who love to groom and ride him. |
| Paige |  Paige (1990) is a gray Arabian mare. She was donated by Reuben Bauman, Minot, N.D. Her name was Sage, but the DBGR girls and Kristi Schaefer, TRP instructor, decided she was too pretty to be named after a weed! Paige is very sweet and will meet you at the fence for some loving. |
| Quincy | 
Quincy (1989) is a Black Tobiano Paint. With age, Quincy's black turned to gray and then to white. She only has a few darker marks on her hip left. Quincy's baby pictures show her with more black than white! She was donated in November 2007 by Laurie and Dale Dannewitz. Laurie works at the DBGR Minot campus as executive assistant to the president. Quincy loves to be groomed and when tied in the barn, will lift her right leg and hold it there until you start brushing her! |
| Rico |  Rico (1998) is a brown Paso Fino gelding. He was donated in May 2009. Rico likes to nibble on everything and he has his own special lead rope with bite marks! The riding instructor loved riding him while she was pregnant because his gaited-strides made it more comfortable to ride, plus, he is short, so that helped her to get on too! |
| Snippet |  Snippet (2001) is a dark bay, half Arabian/half Quarter Horse. She hails from a farm near Washburn, N.D. Snippet currently is involved with the children in grooming activities and Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy groups. |
| Sunny |  Sunny (1984) is a dun Quarter Horse/draft gelding. He was donated in October 2009 from a family that lives about 10 miles from DBGR's TRP. He spent most of his life re-enacting the U.S. Cavalry of the 1860s with his owner. Sunny has been in many parades, had guns shot off him by his riders, has been arond cannon fire and has been in several documentary films, and even in "Dances with Wolves." He's enjoying the easy-going pace here and has made friends with Snippet and Madge--yes, he's a lady's man! |
| Teddy |  Teddy (1999) is a Quarter Horse. He was donated to us in August 2007 from Bismarck, N.D. Teddy was born and raised in Florida. He gained weight after arriving at DBGR, and since he loves his food, so we all have to watch our fingers and toes! When food is not around, Teddy is a very laid back and quiet horse to ride. He has the longest neck and body we've ever seen on a horse! |
| Vindur |  Vindur (1988) is an Icelandic. Vindur previously was a therapy horse in Colorado. He is a gelding and his name means “wind.” He's very gentle and will stand absolutely still while clients bounce nerf balls off his head (part of Hippotherapy). |
| Ziggy |  Ziggy (1990) is a Quarter Horse. Ziggy was purchased from the Albers family near Hazen, N.D. He was a former Western Pleasure show horse in the state of Washington before he was bought by the Albers. Ziggy’s body confirmation and shape of head has a striking resemblance to another horse in our herd—Teddy. Kristi looked back at their registration papers and found that they have the same great-grandsire (grandpa)! Teddy was born in Florida and Ziggy in Washington. Ziggy is being ridden and loved by many DBGR clients and staff. He truly is in need of an Equine Angel, as he needs extra senior equine feed to bulk up for the winter. |
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