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| 2010 XIT Parade 'Best Youth Rider' Caleb Hiner - Congratulations!!!! |
Our
Mission
It
is our mission to serve the disabled in our community by providing an opportunity for disabled individuals
to improve physical, psychological, social and cognitive well-being through safe equine assisted activities.
“There is something
about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” - Winston Churchill
Welcome!!! Welcome to the OAT website. OAT provides therapeutic horseback riding for the disabled.
A horse’s gait is similar to the human walk and throughout the world horseback riding is considered a uniquely beneficial
form of therapy. Therapeutic riding has been shown to improve muscle tone, balance, posture, coordination and motor
development, and in addition improves physical, psychological, social and cognitive well-being. In addition to
the health benefits; equine therapy also teaches the rider skills in horsemanship. Established in 2008, OAT is located in the farming and ranching community of Dalhart, Texas and the surrounding
northwest Texas panhandle area. OAT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is overseen by
a board of directors. Our organization will rely strongly on the volunteer and financial support of the local community
as well as financial support we hope to gain outside the community through corporate, state and national organizations. Just as other professions use accreditation and licensing systems to improve the well-being of their industries,
therapeutic equine professionals have a distinction of their own thanks to the North American Riding for the Handicap
Association (NARHA) and its Premier Accredited Center Program. Our Board of Directors and Volunteers
will work in association with a NARHA Certified Instructor in the area and will follow the guidelines established by NARHA
to ensure a safe and healthy riding program for our community. It is our hope that one of our own will
be certified as an Instructor in the future.
Whether you are a potential participant, volunteer, or donor we hope
you enjoy this website and that it will answer any questions you may have about our program.
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