El Centro Equine Services - Dustin Drader

A few from a fun week

A few from a full week

Always nice to be at home at the Kelowna Riding Club with friends both old and new.

Thank you to talented photographer, Candi Kintzley, of Candikintzley.com for the shots of Chip and I at the Buck clinic in Spanaway a few weeks ago.

A few from this Canada Day week. Thankful for the team of professionals in our city who help keep our horses well!

Home from the Buck Brannaman Spanaway clinic! So proud of how our little Chip handled himself. Loved how our Canadian crew represented ourselves and our horsemanship. Thank you Buck for investing into each of us. Thank you Joel Conner for all your effort to host the clinic and for making us feel welcome. Matt Kitchen

It was a wet and wild weekend at the BC Mountain Trail show in Chilliwack at the Hanging H Arena. Thanks to Debbie Hughes, the judges and volunteers for keeping it safe, fun and educational! Heidi Drader

Every now and then we come across a business that offers an exceptional product and exceptional service. Bale Box is one of those companies! The owner, administrative and delivery staff have all been professional, knowledgeable, and helpful. We are excited to support a quality, locally-owned family business.

A few from this week....busy starting colts.

Thank-you to Susanne Raye, the Kelowna Riding Club, volunteers and clinic participants for a great weekend. Excited to teach a clinic at home in our own backyard!

A few from this week

A week sure goes by fast

Thank-you to the judges, Colleen Meyer & her team at Circle Creek Ranch and everyone at the first BC Mountain Trail show for a great weekend. Crazy weather, crazy fun!

A few from this week... It's Birthday week at EC!

Thank-you to Gail Yon and the Barrière District Riding Club for a great clinic weekend. I always enjoy my time with everyone there!

The Balancing Act: The Demands of a Therapeutic Riding Instructor + tips for success!

As a therapeutic riding instructor, the role is far more than teaching individuals how to ride a horse. It's about orchestrating a symphony of needs, desires, and expectations while maintaining a safe and enriching environment for all involved. Here's a glimpse into some of the demands and tips for managing them effectively:

1. The Rider's Needs: Each rider comes with unique abilities, challenges, and goals. It's crucial to tailor lesson plans to accommodate their physical, cognitive, and emotional needs while fostering growth and empowerment.

Tip: Conduct thorough assessments and ongoing evaluations to understand each rider's capabilities and progress. Communicate regularly with riders and their caregivers to ensure their needs are being met.

2. The Horse's Needs: Horses are not just tools for therapy; they're sentient beings that require care, respect, and attention. Instructors must ensure the horses' well-being, including overall health and soundness, proper grooming, tack, and continually reading the horse’s communication and adapting to their needs.

Tip: Develop a strong understanding of equine behavior and body language. Regularly assess the horses' health and temperament, and foster a positive relationship between riders and horses through gentle and compassionate interactions.

3. Volunteer Needs: Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting riders and instructors during sessions. They require guidance, training, and appreciation for their contributions.

Tip: Establish clear roles and expectations for volunteers, provide comprehensive training, and recognize their efforts regularly. Foster a sense of teamwork and camaraderie among volunteers, instructors, and riders.

4. Keeping the Environment Safe: Safety should always be a top priority in therapeutic riding programs. Instructors must assess and mitigate risks, including potential hazards in and out of the arena, equipment, and interactions between horses, riders and volunteers.

Tip: Conduct continuous scans for hazards that pose a potential danger to a person or horse. Be aware of the environment and what could cause a horse to spook or shy such as lights, noises, objects, people or animals. Implement strict safety protocols and emergency procedures, and ensure all staff, volunteers, and participants are trained accordingly.

5. Family Expectations: Families entrust instructors with the well-being and progress of their loved ones. Clear communication and transparency are essential in managing expectations and addressing concerns.

Tip: Establish open lines of communication with families from the outset. Provide regular updates on riders' progress, involve families in goal-setting discussions, and encourage their active participation and feedback.

6. The Program's Needs: Instructors are responsible for upholding the mission and objectives of the therapeutic riding program, which may include administrative tasks, fundraising, and program development.

Tip: Prioritize tasks and allocate time efficiently. Collaborate with program administrators and staff to streamline operations and address challenges effectively. Continuously seek opportunities for program growth and improvement.

7. Skills Progression: Tracking riders' skills progression is essential for setting realistic goals and designing effective lesson plans that promote continuous improvement.

Tip: Develop individualized lesson plans that incorporate progressive skill-building activities. Set clear objectives and benchmarks for skill development, and regularly assess and adjust the objectives based on riders' progress.

8. Making Lessons Fun: Engaging and enjoyable lessons are key to keeping riders and volunteers motivated and enthusiastic about their riding or volunteer experience.

Tip: Incorporate a variety of activities, games, and challenges into lessons to keep them dynamic and stimulating. Allow yourself to be inspired by riders and volunteers and utilize their ideas and interests while designing your lesson plans.

Demands of a therapeutic riding instructor are multifaceted, requiring a delicate balance of empathy, expertise, and organization. By prioritizing the needs of riders, horses, volunteers, and stakeholders, while ensuring safety and your program's mission, instructors can create meaningful and impactful experiences for all involved.

A few from a busy Easter Eggstravaganza week!

A few from this week... Many shamrock shenanigans!