When you start riding horses and caring for them at age 13 it is easy to have them become part of your plans for the future. Angela Stan is one of those young women who took a love and understanding for horses to the next level by becoming a certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.
On April 10 she will hold an Open House for Autumn Trails Stables the first Equine Therapy center in our area. Stan will be basing her program at the home of her parents Stephen and Cynthia Gudorf located at 2000 Folk Ream Road (between New Carlisle Pike and Detrick Jordan Road).
The stables will offer once a week lessons that last 45 minutes. The program is open to children and adults who may have a wide range of needs such as physical social or emotional. Stan also works with individuals with Downs Syndrome and Autism. She also works to help individuals develop social skills.
Stan explained that the lessons in learning horse safety, grooming, how to saddle and riding help to build confidence in her clients and increase communication skills. The program is designed to work with parents and licensed therapists to offer therapeutic riding. Stan explained that the “therapists” are the horses who provide physical and emotional benefits to the student riders. “The horses connect with the individuals and the movement of the horse helps them to gain more mobility and confidence” explained Stan.
Stan has put together a five year plan and hopes to add a licensed psychologist to the team so that they can offer additional services one day.
Angela Fogle is a good friend of Stan and will be working with the program as well. The program will also be dependent on volunteers who may or may not have experience with horses. The program uses “side walkers” which are volunteers who are trained to walk along beside the horse to help assure the riders.
The program currently has four horses that will be used in the program with an additional four in training. It doesn’t take a special horse to participate in the program according to Stan. She noted that she has Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds currently trained. She was excited to note that she is in the process of training a Half Linger Pony for her program to be introduced in the near future.
The goal for this year is to hold 4 sessions beginning this spring and running through the summer. Each session consists of having a 45 minute lesson each week for 6 weeks. There is also a Saturday makeup included just in case Mother Nature doesn’t cooperate. The cost is $210 for each 6 week session.
You can learn more about the program by visiting the web site at www.autumntrailsstables.com or you can drop Angela an e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Angela is supported in her plan to one day have an enclosed arena on the farm so that sessions can be held year round by her husband Jacob. With a husband and other family members in the construction business it may not be long if her non-profit organization can find the funding to move the indoor plans forward.
