Volunteer Structure and Training Schedule
Currently, HETRA organizes and trains over 200 volunteers in varying stages of horse skills progression from barn maintenance to barn leader. The majority of our volunteers come to us with little to no horse experience and our strategy teaches them everything they need to know to serve our participants while working safely with horses alongside staff and other volunteers. Learn about the benefits of our 10+ volunteer positions and discover why we think investing the time matters in the long run.
Resistance to the Horse: How Can We Help?
We have all had a participant that we think would benefit tremendously from equine-assisted services, but isn’t quite sure about interactions with a 1,200 lb live animal. Together, Kaiti an occupational therapist and Kelly a mental health practitioner, will discuss what potential triggers might be, how to work through them and how the process of working through change can be very beneficial and impactful for our participants. This webinar is meant to serve as a guide for thought for instructors and therapists, not for specific treatment strategies.
Miniature Horse Learning Program
Listen in to learn about an exciting new program opportunity! Previously thought to be unreachable communities can now be accessed through a miniature horse learning program. Due to the overall climate in the world, now is a better time than ever to connect with these communities to address social emotional learning and so much more
Ask the Instructor Panel: Teaching Trotting
Join us for a panel interview style webinar for troubleshooting riding skills! Together, a panel of PATH Intl. Advanced Instructors, CTRI's and therapists will discuss teaching the skill of trotting and talk through case studies surrounding specific diagnoses.
Ask the Instructor Panel: Teaching Reining
Join us for a panel interview style webinar for troubleshooting riding skills! Together, a panel of PATH Intl. Advanced Instructors, CTRI's and therapists will discuss teaching the skill of reining and talk through case studies surrounding specific diagnoses.
Why Horses?
Gain a deeper understanding of how to partner with horses in a therapy team, how the psychology and biomechanics of the horse impacts treatment, and why horses are such valuable team members. You'll also learn the importance of horse selection and proper training and conditioning.
Energize & Mobilize: Stretching & Light Aerobics
Join in on a course focusing on seated exercises centered around on Aerobic movement and mobility for adaptive riders and wheelchair users. This video covers everything from Arm movements, marching, ball bounces, and more! This video is one of four from the Energy & Mobilize Series; a series of strengthening and stretching programs to help riders of all abilities improve their position and balance on the horse.
Energize & Mobilize: Hips & Back Stretching
An engaging course covering Hips & Back Stretching at both the Intermediate and Advanced levels. When you’re riding a horse, it is really important for your body to be elastic-like so that you can absorb all the energy coming up from the horse and distribute it properly through your body. This video is one of four from the Energy & Mobilize Series; a series of strengthening and stretching programs to help riders of all abilities improve their position and balance on the horse.
Energize & Mobilize: General Strengthening
This course covers low impact strengthening exercises to help with your stability and balance in the saddle. A horse presents a constantly changing, always moving environment. It is, therefore, really important for you to have a nice strong, stable core, hips, back, shoulders, so you can more fluidly with your horse and stay balanced. This video is one of four from the Energy & Mobilize Series; a series of strengthening and stretching programs to help riders of all abilities improve their position and balance on the horse.
Energize & Mobilize: Adaptive Strengthening Exercises
Dig into a course course covering seated exercises that will focus on stretching and mobility for adaptive riders. This video covers everything from cervical mobility, arm extensions, trump and hip mobility, leg lifts and more! This video is one of four from the Energy & Mobilize Series; a series of strengthening and stretching programs to help riders of all abilities improve their position and balance on the horse. You will have access to this video and a detailed handout for two weeks.
Suicide Awareness & Prevention Methods
As September is Suicide Prevention & Awareness Month, join HETRA's Mental Health Therapist, Kelli Hatzenbuehler, for a discussion regarding this incredibly sensitive yet important subject. As of 2018, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death overall in the United States, claiming the lives of over 48,000 people. Chances are high that you know someone who has been affected by suicide, or might be struggle with thoughts of suicide.
Rejuvenate Your Visuals
We’ve heard it before, time and time again, always strive to use your own images when marketing anything related to your facility. It is understandable, however, when you feel like you’ve used the same picture multiple times and it is becoming a bit stale. Still, what options do you have when your budget, time, and availability don’t allow for multiple photoshoots a year to give you fresh material? This webinar will provide examples for how to spice up your current stock of images, using them multiple times to their max potential until new photos are available.
How to Find and Keep High-Quality Volunteers
Having trouble finding volunteers that are a good fit for your organization? Are your current volunteers feeling frustrated or bored in their current positions? Do you find yourself regularly losing as many volunteers as you gain? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this webinar is for you! We will go over several tools and ideas to help you recruit, train, and retain quality volunteers for your equine assisted activities and therapy programs (EAAT).
Leading with the Magic Wand- Part 3
Learn about the HETRA Horse Leading Technique. Using our "Magic Wands" and this unique approach to leading we have been able to significantly cut back on the amount of equine burnout in our program. For the past two parts, Shelby went in-depth into HETRA horse leading techniques. The series finale features a Panel Discussion and Q&A Session to address your horse leading questions and issues. Edye Godden will present the Therapy Services point of view, Shelby Winnail from a Horse Manager perspective, and Rita Borgstadt as an Adaptive Riding Instructor. This Panel is definitely something you don't want to miss.
Leading with the Magic Wand- Part 2
Learn about the HETRA Horse Leading Technique. Using our "Magic Wands" and this unique approach to leading we have been able to significantly cut back on the amount of equine burnout in our program. In part one, we jumped into training our equines for new leading techniques. Now, For the 2nd Installment of HETRA’s "Horse Leading with the Magic Wand" series, let's talk about training our volunteers and staff to lead in consistent ways to keep our equine happy and with our programs for the long haul. This is part 2 of a 3-part series!
Leading with the Magic Wand- Part 1
Using our "Magic Wands" and this unique approach to leading we have been able to significantly cut back on the amount of equine burnout in our program. In part one of this three-part, in-depth series on HETRA’s horse leading techniques, Shelby also discusses how HETRA created advancement levels for our volunteers allowing them to gain desired knowledge and horse skills.
Sensory & Behavior: Regulation in EAAT
This webinar will provide therapists and instructors with an introductory knowledge on how the sensory system and sensory dysfunction impacts participation, including plenty of examples and case studies on behavior modification for the equine environment.
Horse Sponsorship
Many centers may find it challenging to fund costs such as horse care, training, and nutrition. Through a Horse Sponsorship program, you can successfully fund these costs as well as connect with new supporters from the community. Learn how to give your donors special recognition through the program, cultivate relationships with these important donors, and provide a special connection for horse lovers in the community.
Common Diagnosis & Implications for EAAT
This webinar will provide a background of information on a select group of diagnoses most commonly seen in EAAT (spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, autism, down syndrome). You can expect to gain an understanding of how each diagnosis impacts the body as well as precautions and contraindications for each as they pertain to equine activities. Complete with case studies to help apply knowledge for use in your program.
Maximize Your Social Media Presence
Whether you’re an established program with years of experience or just getting started, a strong and balanced social media presence is key to your operation. Just like your organization’s website, your social media accounts are official gateways for the public to understand who you are, what you do, and the atmosphere surrounding your work. To some, tackling the ins and outs of social media can appear daunting. To others, social media management might seem lower on the list of priorities. Your organization’s social media presence, nonetheless, has a vital connection to your future endeavors.
