FFE Participant

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility: Any person diagnosed with an emotional, physical, cognitive disability from age 3 years and up is eligible to apply for therapeutic riding. There are additional requirements that students must first meet before we can enroll them in our program.

1.       The student, student’s parent(s) or legal guardian must fill out copies of all the FFE enrollment forms they receive upon inquiry for inclusion in Flying Free’s program.  Most importantly this includes, but is not limited to, a physician’s referral form, a release of liability form, an emergency medical release and release of information form.  No student may begin sessions with Flying Free until the physician’s referral form is received.  The student’s physician must sign the form indicating that he/she approves riding as an appropriate activity given the student’s condition.

2.      The student and his/her parent(s) or caregiver must attend a preliminary evaluation with Flying Free staff member this intake and evaluation process is in place to help FFE establish the best treatment plan possible for each individual student and to determine if student is eligible for therapeutic riding.  Flying Free will review precautions and contraindications to therapeutic riding for specific disabilities to determine final eligibility.  If it is determined after review that the student can not participate in therapeutic riding safely, student will not be accepted into the program at this time.  It is Flying Free’s policy to do no harm.

3.      For the health of our horses and the safety of our riders and sidewalkers, we generally do not accommodate riders in excess of 200 lbs.  Alternative means of interaction with horses will be recommended for individuals who would still like to participate in an un-mounted equine-facilitated activity or to receive therapeutic riding activities on “Lily” the equicizer.

4.      Students younger than 3 years may be accepted depending upon the findings of the initial intake with a consulting health professional and at FFE’s discretion.

5.      Students with chronic/violent behavioral issues may be accepted into the program on a probationary period.  During this time, the student will be evaluated as to his/her eligibility for therapeutic riding.