The Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equine Center is an Idaho 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation that offers equine-assisted activities and therapies to people with disabilities at no charge. The programs are offered Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 7:00 pm, year round. The programs are divided into four sessions (winter, spring, summer, and fall).
Eligibility Requirements
Any person diagnosed with an emotional, physical, cognitive, or behavioral challenge from age 2 years or older is eligible to apply for enrollment in the Swiftsure program. There are additional requirements that students must first meet before we can enroll them in our program:
- Children ages 2 and older and adults with disabilities or special needs are eligible for consideration for Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center (Swiftsure) programs. All new participants must be referred by a doctor, therapist, teacher, social worker, probation department, mental health professional or other health professional. Swiftsure will accept any new participant for whom the appropriate resources are available, including but not limited to horse, tack, equipment, instructor, volunteers, and facility, and for whom activities are not contraindicated according to the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.). If mounted activities are not recommended, then Swiftsure may pursue unmounted activities for that new participant.
- A parent or legal guardian must contact the Lead Instructor at the Swiftsure office to discuss eligibility and fill out all applicable enrollment forms. No participant may begin sessions with Swiftsure until all forms are received. The enrollment forms can be obtained following an initial conversation with the Lead Instructor. Once all enrollment forms are received, the Lead Instructor will contact the participant/parent/guardian to schedule an in-person preliminary assessment.
- The participant and his/her parent(s) or caregiver must attend a preliminary assessment with a Swiftsure instructor. This process is in place to help Swiftsure set goals and establish the best plan possible for each individual student. It is also at this time that precautions and contraindications to riding for particular disabilities are reviewed and discussed on an individual basis. If no contraindications are present and Swiftsure is able to accommodate the perspective student, the Lead Instructor will communicate with the participant/parent/guardian to schedule a weekly lesson. Should there be no available lesson times, the participant will be placed on the waiting list and will begin lessons as soon as a lesson spot becomes available.
- Swiftsure reserves the right to deny or remove a participant from a session if his/her actions jeopardize the safety of the horses, staff, volunteers or him/herself.
For more information or questions please email our Program Director Kristy Wood or call 208.578.9111
