Howdy Folks,

Did you know that the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding have been documented as far back as Hippocrates? Barb Heine did, and she became a founding member of what is now the National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT). When Barb, an avid equestrian, started volunteering at the center in the late eighties she was working as a trained and certified physical therapist.

The center became the home of Los Altos Pony Hunt Club when the Somers family donated the property in 1971, after which a vaulting program was developed to help troubled youths. They also began doing some Hippotherapy. At the time Barb discovered NCEFT there was a physical therapist on staff and they helped three or four patients a week. Barb resettled from Australia with her husband and became very involved and helped grow the program to over eighty patients a week. She always volunteered her time, and eventually became executive director.

Throughout the years Barb worked tirelessly to develop Hippotherapy as an accepted form of treatment. She was a driving force in establishing the respect and acceptance for this marvelous equine-based therapy and in fact served as the Board President for The American Hippotherapy Association from 1996 to 2000. Barb passed away in March but her legacy marches on. Not everybody in the world of Therapeutic Riding knows of Barb Heine's outstanding contribution and I'm honored to be able to share it here.

Colleen Combes is a member of the San Mateo County Mounted Search and Rescue Unit (MSAR) an organization very active in their support of NCEFT. "MSAR uses the grounds at NCEFT for many of their functions such as training and exhibitions. In turn we help raise funds to benefit them. Becoming an ACTHA affiliate to host a ride fit perfectly in our plans to raise money for NCEFT." Colleen explained.

"The work they do at NCEFT is absolutely amazing!" Colleen said. "They help people grow in mind and spirit. To see the difference in the kids from when they start to after a few sessions is almost unbelievable."

The list of programs through which hundreds of patients, young and old, receive love, care and support have continued to grow over the past thirty-eight years. The main focus remains Hippotherapy because it is the very foundation of all other programs. Hippotherapy is useful and effective in physical, occupational, emotional and speech therapy. I talked with Marie Fox, NCEFT's Development Director for this story. "In addition to the clinical advantages of their use in therapy, horses are warm, gentle and accepting animals that help elevate a rider's confidence, motivation and self-esteem." Marie said.

Other programs include Therapeutic Riding, different from Hippotherapy in that it is a recreational program in which students actually learn to ride by developing motor control and giving cues to the horse through certain movements and commands.

Therapeutic Driving introduces student to the sport of carriage driving. It opens the world of the horse to those who may be unable to ride through driving from a carriage seat or their own wheelchair. Wow!

Interactive Vaulting provides group interaction activity with the horse and has been part of NCEFT since its very beginning.

Project Healing Horse began in 2008 and offers services to active duty personnel and wounded veterans. This is truly an amazing program and already has had miraculous results for dozens of veterans. This program is funded completely through donations with no cost to the government or the veterans!

Community Outreach is very important to NCEFT and in a variety of ways they involve youth and adult organizations throughout San Mateo County. They've got a weekly program for school children with special needs to interact with the animals and enjoy a country setting.

NCEFT its programs philosophies, goals and achievements fit well with Colleen's own beliefs and she is always searching for ways to help. "When I discovered ACTHA and the way they are designed to help raise money for organizations I jumped on it." She told me. "The programs at NCEFT are designed to benefit the patient in a way that is fun. The ACTHA rides are designed to be fun. A perfect fit!"

Thanks to Colleen deciding to host an ACTHA ride I had the opportunity to tell a little bit about a fantastic organization that exists only to enrich lives. In our talk Colleen told me she loves to reach out, to introduce children and adults to horses for the first time. "Many people," she said, "don't realize just how friendly horses are I love to show that." She went on to say that she loves to do anything she can to show people how helpful horses are and what a difference they can make.

Colleen, I think you've managed to help spread the word one more time! Thanks.

To learn more about this wonderful organization go to <http://www.nceft.org/>

Gitty Up

Dutch Henry