Walk On provides adaptive horseback riding to people with all kinds of disabilities, from very…read moreyoung kids to senior citizens. I cannot say enough positive things about Walk On, its staff, and volunteers. I wish I had found adaptive horseback riding sooner. I tried to when I was younger, but I couldn't find a place that would let me with my physical disability, even through my special recreation program.
I heard horseback riding is beneficial for people with Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities. I have chronic pain in my neck, shoulders, and back from sitting in my wheelchair for long periods of time. Riding definitely helps relieve my pain for several hours at a time.
Mary Illing is Walk On's Program Director and President. Mary is a Licensed Occupational Therapist, PATH Certified Master Level Instructor, Certified Carriage Driving Instructor and Meredith Manor Horsemanship Certificate holder. She is very nice. She's a knowledgeable and involved instructor.
Mary oversees all of the lessons and the initial evaluation, at least she did for me. You're in good hands with Mary. Mary will assess your ability to ride and your unique the level of assistance you need while riding. For me, I usually need three people assisting me; one person walking the horse and two people (one on either side) holding my thighs and/or leg. I feel totally secure and haven't fallen (knock on wood).
I'm not the most graceful mounting the horse. They have a ramp so that you can take your wheelchair or mobility device and be high enough to mount the horse. I'm able to mount with two people assisting me walking on both sides of my waist; I swing one of my legs over and then sit down. They also have a lift that goes around the shoulders and picks you up if you can't do it manually. The dismount is easier. It involves me putting one arm around Mary while someone else is on the other side of me and then swinging my leg over and jumping off to a standing position.
The following is an e-mail from Mary. It's from the spring of 2015, so keep in mind the prices may change. I'm sharing this just to give you an idea of the price: "Here are our fees. We require an OT evaluation which costs $150. We offer 1/2 hour semi-private (2 riders) at a cost of $35 per lesson. We offer 4 sessions winter spring summer and fall. Sessions are between 8-14 lessons depending on the session. You sign up for a session. If you sign up in the middle of a session then we prorate the session cost. There is an administration fee of $25 per session. Those are all the fees. We encourage you to come out and see the facility and meet us. There are extensive forms to fill out before we can start riding. I hope this helps. If you need more information please e-mail me or call 847-381-4231."
You can do more than 30 minute sessions here: semi-private 45 minute sessions are $53 each and semi-private hour sessions are $60. If you do the math, the 45 minute session is the least cost effective, but only by a few cents per hour.
The riding fee seems more affordable than the other adaptive horseback riding organizations in the area (https://www.rush.edu/health-wellness/autism-resource-center/child-adolescent-services/recreational-events-and-programs-0), although I can't speak to the other organization's evaluation fees.
There was confusion on how to get the application form. Mary initially said I could come in to get the forms, but there wasn't any when I went in. They were able to e-mail me the forms. Risa is the Office Manager and is usually the person responding to e-mails. Their e-mail address is walkonfarm@comcast.net. There is a medical authorization form your doctor needs to sign.
I enjoy the social component of horseback riding; getting to know the staff and volunteers, who put up with my uncontrollable laughter. My session is at the end of the day, so Mary sometimes lets me feed Taco, the horse I ride, snacks from a big bin from my lap. I enjoy this time with Taco as much as riding.
Everything is wheelchair accessible. They have a big accessible restroom with low grab bars, probably for the children. They have a spacious parking lot with accessible spaces. My iPhone Maps doesn't recognize this address, but it can find N Hart Rd and W Cuba Rd, Barrington, IL.
Walkonfarm.org says: "Walk On's mission is dedicated to providing equine assisted activities to people with physical, cognitive, social and emotional disabilities. Equine assisted activities provide motivational, educational and recreational benefits that enhance the quality of life through interaction with the horse. The goal of Walk On is to partner with the horses to inspire the participants to reach their highest potential. While riding a horse, students are given the opportunity to feel freedom and power through movement..."
I realize that horseback riding isn't for everyone. I recommend checking it out if you are interested. It seems beneficial for people with all kinds of disabilities.
