Special needs horsemanship classes on hold until funds are raised

IDAHO FALLS — It’s been a little over three weeks since a therapeutic horsemanship service closed its doors.

But owners say they aren’t out of business.

The Innovative Therapeutic Riding Program, a nonprofit that helps those with special needs, has recently left their facility on 33rd South after it had been donated to them for two years.

The program is now raising money to build or purchase a home of its own.

KayLynn Cordingley the founder and equine manager of the program, says community members have been generous in donating their barns, but as the program has grown, the facility simply can’t meet their needs any longer.

“We’re to a point where we’ve grown and expanded enough that it’s time for us to work really hard at getting our own facility, having our own home so that we don’t have to continually move when something comes up,” Cordingley told EastIdahoNews.com.

She said the organization’s costs are covered by donations and sponsorships. Each horse can cost at least $2,500 per year to care for.

“The biggest thing that we need is community support and corporate donors who want to be a part of our program,” Cordingley said.

On Wednesday, the Innovative Therapeutic Riding Program will be hosting a fundraiser showing of the movie “Unbridled”. The event will be held at the Paramount Theatre in Idaho Falls at 2085 Niagara St. Miniature ponies will be available from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The film will show from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with prizes for the first 10 people who attend the film.

“The movie was made based on true, real-life experiences and demonstrates how horses can play an important part in healing. The movie displays the freedom that horses can give to those who are suffering from emotional, physical, and mental difficulties. It is a good representation of some of the miracles we get to see that take place in our program,” executive director Kerri Ellis said in a news release.

The program helps 114 participants and started with only 35 in 2011. Cordingley said she and a friend were inspired to start the program because of their children’s special needs. When Cordingley’s son was three-years-old he was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome which affects the body’s connective tissue. It can affect the function of the heart, eyes, blood vessels and bones.

“It’s a connective tissue disorder that affects the heart valves and then the lenses on the eyes are usually displaced,” Cordingley said.

Although her son was cleared by a cardiologist of the effect of the illness on his heart, he still has issues with his eyes. The lenses of his eyes are not in its proper place and he can only see several feet in front of him. Cordingley said riding horses was a way her son could participate in an activity and not have to rely on his own vision.

“I was a horse 4-H leader and what I could do was put him on one of my older horses and he could go participate like all the other kids whether he could see or not because the horse could see for him,” Cordingley said.

Although she isn’t an occupational therapist, Cordingley is certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International to teach adaptive horsemanship skills.

Some forty volunteers run the organization as they help those with special needs of many ages. She said the program has already shown success for its participants. They’ve been able to help clients with muscular sclerosis and selective mutism.

“Within a few lessons, we’ve been able to have those children (with selective mutism) talk to the horses and then begin to talk to our volunteers and to our instructors. They’re some awesome things that these horse are capable of that the rest of us aren’t,” Cordingley said.

Throughout the year the group will be raising money in hopes of continuing its operation in 2019. Admission to the event is by donation. Find ticket information the ITRP site.