EQUINE SUPPORT PROGRAMS
We offer a variety of programs to serve the diverse populations of the Fox Valley community and beyond. We specialize in facilitating life-changing horse experiences for children, adults and seniors with cognitive, emotional and physical disabilities. The BEAMING Barn is a welcoming, uplifting space focused on inclusion, learning, and growing through equine-assisted services. If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about our programs, please reach out to us! View program and events dates and times on our calendar here.
VIEW OUR PROGRAMS OVERVIEW SHEET (PDF)
VIEW OUR BEAMING QUICK FACTS SHEET (PDF)
New riders: Watch our New Rider Overview Video here New volunteers: Watch our New Volunteer Overview Video here
>>To sign up for any of our programs, please complete the Participant Forms here.
Partners in Riding
In collaboration with area school districts, wework with special education personnel to identify students who will benefit from BEAMING’S adaptive physical education and equine experiences. This is a 12-week, spring/fall partnership serving elementary and middle school age students with differing abilities.
Saddle Up for Success
BEAMING offers sessions for individuals and groups of up to fiveparticipants of similar age and ability. Participant challenges may include, but are not limitedto autism, cognitive development, visual impairments, hemiplegia and/or degenerative central nervous system disorders. Participants are exposed to grooming, riding and fun barn activities.
Dragons in Flight
Dragons in Flight is a new intermediate horseback riding program for children with diverse abilities. These kids have participated in the Saddle Up for Success program and/or our Hold Your Horses youth camp, and demonstrated they can learn to groom, saddle and ride more independently. We will also be integrating equine-assisted learning into these sessions on a wide range of topics, from goal setting to standards of horsemanship.
WATCH ELI’S VIDEO
Autism Camps
BEAMING has offered Autism Camps to individuals in the Fox Valley since 2015 with excellent results. Two one-week Autism Camps are held every summer. The physical benefits of riding are undeniable for children with autism. Different sensory receptors are stimulated and children learn to move in new and exciting ways. Together with the emotional and cognitive benefits of equine-assisted therapies, riding provides benefits to the whole individual, including body, mind and spirit.
WATCH OUR 2022 AUTISM CAMP VIDEO
WATCH THE EHNERD TRIPLETS’ VIDEO
VIEW THE 2023 AUTISM CAMPS RACK CARD (PDF)
VIEW THE 2023 AUTISM CAMPS 8.5×11 FLYER (PDF)
Riding in the Moment
BEAMING is the second in the nation to offer Riding in the Moment (RIM). Developed in conjunction with UW-Madison, RIM is an evidence-based program that improves the quality of life for seniors living with early- to moderate-onset dementia, Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss.
Participants groom, walk and ride horses, listen to horses’ heartbeats, make and feed horse treats, watch horse demonstrations and have other opportunities to bond with our equine partners. In addition to giving seniors the opportunity to interact with horses, we also provide educational activities, mind-body emotions exercises and hands-on projects, such as planting flowers, making crafts, or creating artwork. BEAMING staff helps assist participants with answers to questions and demonstrate physical exercises to encourage participation.
The RIM program not only improves the quality of life for those living with dementia, it also benefits their caregivers by allowing them to spend quality time in an uplifting outdoor setting with their loved one, allowing them the opportunity to ride horses, and introducing them to a support network of other caregivers going through the same challenges they are.
We also take the horses and these activities to memory care facilities through our “RIM Mobile” program, helping residents socialize while exercising their minds and bodies. Life enrichment staff have shared with us that our RIM program is something their residents ask about and look forward to, and that the experiences help them with socializing while exercising their minds and bodies. Many residents even share memories that rise to the surface of growing up on farms and with horses.
WATCH THE RIDING IN THE MOMENT OVERVIEW VIDEO
Equine-Assisted Memory Cafés
We welcome community members with early- to moderate-stage dementia and their caregivers to enjoy horse experiences and other interactive activities such as educational presentations, musical performances, arts and crafts projects and other outdoor and barn activities. These hands-on horse experiences offer participants and their families an opportunity to engage in a social gathering and meet others for support. We are offering monthly Memory Cafés in 2023 on the second Tuesday of each month, from 10-11:30am.
WATCH OUR EQUINE-ASSISTED MEMORY CAFÉ OVERVIEW VIDEO
RideStrong
We began a new trauma support equine program in 2022 called RideStrong, which invites survivors who havebeen affected by suicide, cancer and other crises to experience the healing benefits of equine-assisted services.
Mental health after trauma is an ongoing concern for everyone affected. Equine-assisted services can help families and friends come together in the wake of loss, and help cancer survivors and those affected by other illnesses or crises cope with their diagnosis and treatment.
LAUNCH
Special Education personnel from area school districts send us some of their most troubled students who tend to be outside the mainstream of their peer group. Launch has the ability to impact the increasing mental health crisis with our teen population in the Fox Valley. The hands-on nature of this unique and effective mentoring program addresses basic skills essential for managing conflict, utilizing effective coping skills, developing positive social skills, and learning to engage in healthy self-care. BEAMING has been extremely successful in changing the attitudes and self-image of these teens.
Hold Your Horses Teen Camps
Hold Your Horses teen camps are geared toward helping teens to hold their emotions in check before acting or reacting. Participants learn the skills to stop, think, listen, then act resulting in making better choices, improving mental health, and forming healthier relationships. This camp is free of charge. Two no-cost, weeklong sessions are held every summer.
VIEW THE 2023 HOLD YOUR HORSES CAMPS RACK CARD (PDF)
Horses, Hearts & Heroes
BEAMING began offering this important program in summer 2010 – we are honored to provide equine-assisted activities to area veterans. Riders, side-walkers, and horse handlers involved in this program are primarily veterans which makes this a one-of-a-kind program in the region, with therapeutic riding lessons conducted by PATH-certified instructions.
Objectives: improves self-esteem, coping with civilian life and stressors, improving physical, social and behavioral skills though therapeutic horseback riding. Riders have a range of diagnoses including but not limited to amputations, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress.
WATCH OUR HORSES, HEARTS & HEROES OVERVIEW VIDEO
Women's Empowerment Series
Women are invited to the BEAMING Barn to connect with other women in search of solace, strength and community while engaging in interactive activities such as horse yoga together. Women enjoy meeting others and sharing their experiences with finding hope and empowerment, and finding support with each other.
Special Events
We host many special events throughout the year to welcome our community to the BEAMING Barn, including Red, White & Blue Day to honor local heroes; BOOfest at Halloween for the kids; and Santa’s visit to the farm every December. We also travel with our horses to off-site events in the community. Check our Facebook Events page for the most up-to-date days and times of our special events. We hope you can join us!
>>To sign up for any of our programs (excluding Special Events), please complete the Participant Forms here.