Seabiscuit Therapeutic Riding Center

Ridgewood T R A I L Riders Association has thus far received two grants this year in order to boost their therapeutic riding program

The first grant was from the Mendocino Community Benefit Fund. The grant will go towards supplies, equipment, and materials to begin work on a covered arena for their therapeutic riding program.

The second grand was awarded through the Mendocino Community Foundation. The grant will go towards equipment and an additional horse stall to ready the program for Therapeutic Horse
Riding Therapy center certification.

Ridgewood TRAIL is an amazing and truly invaluable program. I was first introduced to this organization several years ago when I was asked by one of the board members to come out and do a photo-shoot of their PATH Certified Instructor working with one of her students. I was immediately impressed and inspired by what I was witnessing. This young man, who had to be carried from his vehicle with no expression, came to life, full of excitement and animation when he saw his horse. I was so touched by his transformation when he was partnered with this horse that I had a hard time clearing my eyes enough to focus in on the photo taking. The instructor Erin was so gentle and caring with this young man and knew exactly what type of positioning and actions to perform that would best benefit his special needs. At that moment I knew I wanted to be a part of this organization and have been involved with TRAIL ever since, currently serving as a board member.

I can’t say enough about the wonderful, helpful and caring volunteers that give of their compassion and time, the PATH instructor, ERIN, who has such a gift and is such a blessing to the program and to the growth in the students who inspire us every day. This program holds a special place in my heart, as we too, have been blessed with a special needs grandchild in our family. Programs like these are truly invaluable and I am looking forward to being able to get even more involved in TRAIL after my upcoming retirement. Truly a gem of a program right here in Mendocino County.

I went to Ridgewood TRAIL program to work as a volunteer and to become certified to be a therapeutic horse riding instructor. I Spent a year and a half working with Erin Holzhauer and her generous group of volunteers. i attended sessions twice a week, and I was always impressed by the knowledge and the care given to the participants with disabilities. Children who never communicated before were sitting high astride a therapeutic horse and asking them to "walk on". The volunteers sometimes work three hours at a time helping to support and encourage the participants whether they are riding or grooming the horse. Erin, who is a certified PATH international instructor is as knowledgeable about the horses as she is about the many participants and their disabilities. The participants carry over the benefits of the riding session into their every day routines. I have begun my own program on the coast, and I will always be grateful for the experiences that I had and still have when I visit. I am now a member of the Board.