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. Our no-cost or low-cost programs serve clients regardless of socio-economic status, race, gender orientation, religion or ability. 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
Our Partners in Riding program is a collaborative effort with local school districts to provide adaptive physical education and equine-assisted services to children with diverse abilities including physical, cognitive and/or emotional challenges. We collaborate with special education personnel at Fox Cities elementary and middle schools to identify students who will most benefit. The students we serve typically have autism, ADD, ADHD, hemiplegia, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, degenerative central nervous system disorders, and/or cognitive, visual or developmental impairments.
Saddle Up for Success
Through our Saddle Up for Success program, we facilitate life-changing horse experiences for children and adults with cognitive, emotional and/or physical disabilities. These sessions are offered for individuals or groups of up to five participants of similar age and ability. Participants learn to groom, walk and ride horses over the course of many weeks. This program helps participants grow in their self-discovery and confidence through building relationships with our equine partners, while also offering many physical benefits, such as improved posture, balance, and fine and gross motor skills.
Dragons in Flight
Dragons in Flight is our 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 integrate equine-assisted learning (EAL) into these sessions on a wide range of topics, from goal setting to standards of horsemanship.
Autism Camps
The physical benefitsof horseback 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 wholeindividual, including body, mind and spirit. Two sessions of Autism Camp are held every summer.
WATCH OUR 2022 AUTISM CAMP VIDEO
WATCH THE EHNERD TRIPLETS’ VIDEO
Pony Power Academy Children's Literacy Program
Pony Power Academy is an Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) Program that offers a unique approachto helping children ages 4-12 with learning disabilities or who have struggled learning to readand write. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 4 million children younger than 18 have learning disabilities in the U.S.; they account for 47% of children receiving special education. These kids have a 31% greater chance of being bullied, and over 18% of them drop out of school.
Our certified instructors guide children through learning activities and adventures that make reading fun, using curriculum that was developed based on Wisconsin Literacy Standards. These skills help children build their confidence and enhance their learning aptitude, which will help them excel on their academic journey.
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 may 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 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
Steady Strides for Parkinson's
Steady Strides for Parkinson’s is an equine support program designed to enrich the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their caregivers. PD is the second-most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s disease; up to 80% of people with PD eventually develop dementia.
Studies have shown that equine-assisted services as a support to traditional PD treatment are effective for improving mobility, cognitive abilities and emotional well-being. The movement of the horse can improve balance, strength, tone, timing, coordination, and postural control, which can all lead to improved functional ability of the person with PD (MI Parkinson Foundation).
This program was developed using similar curriculum to our evidence-based Riding in the Moment Dementia Support Equine Program. Participants groom, walk and ride horses; engage in mind-body emotions exercises; enjoy educational activities, musical performances and guest presentations; and participate in hands-on projects; while caregivers are able to spend quality time with their loved ones while meeting a support network of others going through similar challenges.
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
Our Hold Your Horses Teen Support Equine Camps provide emotional support through building
connections and relationships with our equine partners. We seek to improve the mental wellness of troubled and hurting teenagers through providing them with fun, interactive learning opportunities to help them bolster their self-esteem, grow in their self-confidence and discover their own unique skills and talents. With the guidance of professional counselors and the assistance of our equine partners, we use a variety of strategies to help these teens learn how to hold their emotions in check before acting or reacting, resulting in making better choices, improving mental health, and forming healthier relationships. Two no-cost sessions are held every summer.
Horses, Hearts & Heroes
BEAMING Inc. is honored to provide local veterans with no-cost private equine sessions. Our goal is to provide safe and enjoyableexperiences, whether it be grooming, walking or riding horses,groundwork or other fun activities at the barn.
Equine-assisted services help reduce anxiety, improve strength, balance, motor skills and cognitive awareness, help with anger management, exercise memory and sequencing abilities. Participants have a range of diagnoses including but not limited to amputations, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress. This is a great way to meet and bond with fellow service members.
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.