Welcome:
Welcome! Handi-Riders, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, was started in Butte County in 1981 by a dedicated group of people from the equestrian community and Butte County Schools Special Education Department. These individuals worked together to provide a unique form of therapeutic activity for children and adults with special needs: Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Handi-Riders is a PATH Int'l. (Professional Assoc. of Therapeutic Horsemanship) member and Premier Accredited Center. Our program is recognized by the American Medical Association (AMA) as an accepted form of therapeutic activity for the physically, developmentally and emotionally challenged. We are proud to have served Butte, Glenn and Tehama counties for more than 30 years.
Summer Classes:
Handi-Riders will offer summer classes the week of July 7-10, 2014. A 9:00 - 10:00am and a 10:30 - 11:30am at the rate of $130.00 per 1 hour class. For more information or to enroll, please call the office: 530-533-5333 or contact us via e-mail: info@handi-riders.org.
Handi-Riders Video
(Click image to see a video clip of Handi-Riders at work. )
Published on Nov 12, 2013, by Mark Hall
Description of Program and Services
Handi-Riders is a center for Equine Assisted Activities & Learning (EAAL). Horses are catalysts, facilitators, mirrors and listeners, as well as physical stimulators. By partnering with their horses, our riders enjoy complete, experiential learning.
Clients are referred to our program through schools, therapy groups, rehabilitation programs and doctors. Each client is provided the resources and guidance needed to maximize his or her potential.
We offer a Winter 4-week session, Spring and Fall 6- week sessions and a 4 one-week Summer Day programs. Private and Semi-Private lessons are offered throughout the year.
Riding classes are conducted under the direction of our Registered PATH Instructors with the help of trained volunteers. Each rider may require as many as three volunteers to assist them: one volunteer to handle the horse and two alongside for safety and to give support where need to the rider.
The horses in our program are donated or on lease. We have horses of all shapes, sizes, gaits and breeds. They must pass a pre-qualification process for soundness and manners to determine acceptability. Once accepted, our horses are trained to remain calm around mobility aids, lesson obstacles, props and rider behaviors before carrying a rider.
Handi-Riders is supported in part by: Businesses, Individuals, Grants, Trusts, Far Northern Regional Center, Community Services from CSUC & Butte College.
Accomplishments and Goals
Handi-Riders is located at Wade Arena. Situated near the intersection of Clark and Hwy. 70 just north of Oroville, Wade Arena is the ideal home for our program. With a covered arena and enclosed barn, classes are offered rain or shine allowing us to serve our riders without interruption..
Long Term Goals: 'Expansion of our program' is to include new services for veterans. For additional information about enrolling in classes, volunteering, becoming an instructor, or visiting our Center, or please call the office: 530-533-5333 or contact us via e-mail: info@handi-riders.org. Donations may be made through PayPal or by sending a check to Handi-Riders, P.O. Box 1885, Chico, CA 95927.