History
The Center, located in Henry, Virginia, was incorporated in 2003 with a 10-member board of directors, an instructor, three volunteers, two horses and two riders. Today, the Center has served over 75 participants (additional clients on a waiting list) with 6 horses and 30 weekly volunteers. Over 350 individuals have volunteered at the Center over the past five years in order to complete community service, internships, and special projects. The Center is a North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) Premier Accredited Center. The Director is a therapeutic recreation specialist and a registered NARHA Instructor. The Director has twenty-five years of experience working with people with disabilities. The Center is a member of the Therapeutic Riding Association of Virginia (TRAV) and is also a member of the United Way of Henry County Martinsville's Nonprofit Leaders Network where it has accepted assistance with capacity building and grant writing. Currently, the Center has three yearly fundraisers: a barbecue, a horseshow, and a play (presented by the riders). Most recently, Tackfully Teamed has acquired a wonderful new group of professional women in the rehabilitation and nursing fields. This group is called CHAPS, which stands for “Committee for Hope, Awareness, Perseverance, and Success” of Tackfully Teamed.
About Us
Tackfully Teamed Riding Academy, Inc. is a therapeutic horseback riding center in Henry, VA. The center currently serves individuals of all ages with disabilities from Henry, Patrick, and Franklin Counties. The mission of Tackfully Teamed is to provide therapeutic riding and other equine activities to individuals with disabilities, giving them an opportunity to improve their physical, mental, emotional and social lives. Therapeutic riding gives children and adults with disabilities a chance to participate in an “able body activity” that they can enjoy, reach achievements in ways they thought were impossible, and call their own. Tackfully Teamed Riding Academy offers people with all types of disabilities the chance to function and excel like anyone else.
Why Horses
The actual motion of a horse is beneficial to individuals with physical disabilities. Riders who cannot walk or have never walked claim that riding a horse gives them “freedom” and an opportunity to walk. The horse becomes their legs and they get to tell their legs where to go as they guide the horse. The riding improves muscle strength, trunk control, balance, gross and fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, range of motion, bilateral function, motor planning, and more. Riders with developmental, emotional and learning disabilities can learn to focus, sequence, follow directions, relax and feel a “sense of control.” Controlling a 1200 pound animal, when there are so many things these individuals cannot control in life, can truly give them a sense of independence and accomplishment.
What We Are
Why Horses
The actual motion of a horse is beneficial to individuals with physical disabilities. Riders who cannot walk or have never walked claim that riding a horse gives them “freedom” and an opportunity to walk. The horse becomes their legs and they get to tell their legs where to go as they guide the horse. The riding improves muscle strength, trunk control, balance, gross and fine motor skills, eye-hand coordination, range of motion, bilateral function, motor planning, and more. Riders with developmental, emotional and learning disabilities can learn to focus, sequence, follow directions, relax and feel a “sense of control.” Controlling a 1200 pound animal, when there are so many things these individuals cannot control in life, can truly give them a sense of independence and accomplishment.