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Anyone who has been on a horse responds immediately
to the power and strength of the animal. For the physically and mentally
challenged the experience offers a new view on life. Horses are a wonderful
medium for relationships and for therapy in a natural environment. The
disabled can participate in “therapeutic riding” at Freedom
In Motion Therapeutic Riding Center (FIM), located in Bishop, California.
Freedom In Motion is a Premier Accredited Center with the North
American Riding For The Handicapped Association, which regulates
training and activities at over 600 centers nationwide.
The riding center officially opened
in 1997. Freedom In
Motion started with two students and currently sees
seventy-four students on a weekly basis. The entire staff is formed of
highly motivated and dedicated volunteers. Retired citizens and today’s
youth come together to share their skills and devotion to better the lives
of the challenged members of their community. Community support has been
strong in the donations of horses, equipment, saddles and office supplies.
A complete list of donations is available upon request.
At this time Freedom In Motion has clients suffering from cerebral palsy,
Down syndrome, cancer, epilepsy, autism and many other learning and behavioral
problems. The benefits from therapeutic riding are greater than self-esteem;
physical strength, coordination and balance, all achieved in a natural
setting without a sterile medical environment. FIM's location offers the
rider a spectacular view of two mountain ranges and a close-up look at
California wildlife. Many disabled individuals never get the opportunity
to experience such outdoor activities.
Due to the popularity of our program we have incorporated able-bodied
riders into the lesson schedule. This mixture offers the chance for the
students to achieve a greater respect for their classmates and an understanding
of what it must be like to be handicapped. This helps in their every day
life skills by building a mutual respect for each other.
Diamond in the ROUGH
In 1999, a generous and grateful family offered to buy a ranch to headquarter FIM, thus Rain Shadow Ranch became the program's site with a 25 year lease.
Work began on the ranch as soon as the Archuleta's moved into the facility. Acres of lawn were planted to
provide a cool clean environment for the children to play while waiting for classes. Two arenas were put up
and a pasture set up so that the horses could have plenty of room to roam during the day. Since 1999, Archie
Archuleta the Ranch Manager has been busy 24/7 keeping the ranch in pristine shape. He spends countless hours
doing repairs on the equipment that keep the program going. Many people do not understand the amount of hours
it takes to care for the horses and keep the acres of grass, the 150 trees, and the arenas in the shape they are in.
The equipment that Freedom in Motion owns is all pre-1980 models. Maintenance and maintenance. It's is a good
thing that Archie is so proficient at being a mechanic, plumber, and electrician. The program could not function
without the man behind the scene.
Current Equine Staff Members.
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LACEY |
LADY |
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| DEE |
SOLEIL |
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| RED |
BRANDY |
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| ZIPPY |
ARIZONA |
Photos of the horses were taken by Rick Kattleman, Husband of board chair Sally Gaines. Rick is a semi-retired hydrologist who has enjoyed photography as a hobby for more than 40 years. He is mainly a landscape and nature photographer, but will point a camera at anything that could make an interesting image. After Sally started helping with the Freedom in Motion program, Rick occasionally, photographed the horses, mules, and activities at the Rain Shadow Ranch. If you would like portraits of your horses, please contact Rick at rickk@schat.net
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