Exceptional Equestrians Unlimited is a non-profit organization that provides therapeutic horseback riding services to special needs and disadvantaged children in Northwest Indiana. Based in Hobart, the program was established in 1979, and has provided services to children since.
Student riders have a variety of developmental and physical challenges, including Autism, Down’s Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy. Their trained instructors develop customized lesson plans for each student, based on the needs and abilities of each student. Students ride for 8 – week sessions in the Spring, Summer and Fall, and participate in other special activities throughout the year. Sessions are usually on Monday thru Thursday with some weekends. Besides the physical benefits of improving balance, coordination and self-confidence while riding the horse, riders and their families also develop a deep and loving relationship with the horses, and learn the joys of knowing and caring for these gentle animals. For many of the special needs children, the EEU Riding session is the highlight of their week.
EEU operates its riding program on a 30-acre horse farm in Hobart, where they have a barn with an indoor riding arena, and many pastures for the horses to graze. They currently have ten specially trained therapy horses in the program.
It takes many dedicated volunteers to operate a program like this that touches the lives of so many people. Their volunteers not only work with the children during the riding sessions, but also care for the therapy horses, and assist with general maintenance. It takes many caring people, and good funding, to provide food, and medical care for the horses, and cover other expenses like insurance an utilities. EEU is privately funded, relying greatly on donations and event sponsorships from individuals and local businesses.
Additional information about the program is available on their website at www.eeunwi.org or on their facebook page at eeunwi. They are always accepting volunteers and donations.
Their next fundraiser is Sunday October 1st from Noon – 3pm, which includes a soup luncheon, a 5K walk/run, pumpkin party, lucky draw raffles, hay ride, and meet the horses at their facility located at 5699 E. 73rd Ave., Merrillville. Questions about the Fall Fundraiser may be directed to Deb at 219-201-7620 or Sandi at 219-916-3683. For general information, call 219-945-0726.
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
