Building Our Future One Step at a Time
Lili & Sidney
With Your Support Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center can improve the quality of life of the children, adults, and families who participate in our program. Imagine your child was born with a disability, or you or a
You are invited to help change the lives of people with
loved one suffered a catastrophic event such as a stroke,
physical and/or developmental disabilities and the lives
spinal cord injury or head trauma, or you find yourself
of those who love them by helping to “build our future”
facing a progressive disease such as MS or Parkinson’s.
at Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center “where
Many of the people who come through the gates at Swiftsure
new tomorrows begin.”
Ranch have exhausted traditional therapies or the services available to them have been cut or severely restricted.
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Why Horse Therapy? The Thousand Pound Therapist
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Who We Serve
7 Swiftsure Ranch
Entry Gate and Directional Signage
Therapeutic Equine Center 114 Calypso Lane Bellevue, ID 83313
Our Legacy Since 1992 Conceptual Master Plan Honoring Our Past
Main Pasture
February 18, 2013
Scale: 1" = 100'
Entry Gate and Directional Signage
Event Camping
Pond
Entry Bridge Feature
Event Camping Pond
Sensory Trails
P1 Pasture
Ditch
Manure Storage
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New Storage Building (20' x 40') Maint. Bldg.
Employee Parking
Overflow, Event, and Trailer Parking (P)
(T)
(T)
Hay Barn
Overflow, Event, and Trailer Parking (P)
Bridge Entry Gate and Directional Signage
Potential Solar Energy
Cabins
(T)
Loading Station and Trailhead
Fencing
Exist. Vegetation
Guest/ Employee Parking
Existing Round Pen Riparian Zone
(T) Exist. Vegetation Secondary Residence
Stalls
Drop Off Loop
Existing Round Pen
Exist. Arena
Riparian Zone
Fire Lane Entry Plaza
Tack Room
Ditch
SR
Lobby/ Office/ Admin
Cross Ties (3)
Cross Ties (3)
Maint.
Restrooms Laundry
Stairs
Kitchen
Event Lawn
Restrooms
Exterior Runs
(T) Saddle Loading Area
Stall Barn
Building Our Future
First Aid
Viewing/ Seating
Aisle
Stalls (3)
Mounting Area
Viewing/ Seating
(C)
Existing Outdoor Arena
Breezeway
ch
Wash Bay
Tools
Aisle
Tack Room
Wash Bay
Proposed Arena 100'x 200'
P2 Pasture
Fencing
Dit
Viewing/ Seating
Storage
Therapy Room
Aisle
Cross Ties (3)
Stalls (3)
Fenced Pasture
Proposed Trails
Pavillion
Bird Nest
SR
Proposed Trails
Proposed Trails
Campsites
(C)
(C) Riparian Zone
(C) Main Residence
Community Garden
Fenced Pasture
Dit
ch
Ditch
(P)
Guest Lodge
Teepee
(T) Pavillion
Fencing
Beaver Dam
Pond
Pond
Cabins/Future Staff Housing
Pond
Aspen Grove
Dock
Potential Solar Energy
Pond
(P)
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Pavillion
Pond
Pond Proposed Trails
Wetland Trails P3 Pasture Proposed Trails
Arm
rps
y Co
Road
Beach and Fishing Access Site
Army Corps Road
Building Our Future 2015 and Beyond
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The rhythmic walking motion of the horse closely simulates a person’s walking gait.
Zac & Smokey
Students experience improvements in muscle strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, endurance, sensory registration, visual/spatial orientation, motor control, rhythm/ timing, physical arousal and attentiveness. With this greater freedom of movement an increase in self-esteem, confidence and independence is possible.
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2012 Initial Development of Sensory Trail
Why Horse Therapy? 1000 Pound Therapist The walking motion of a horse resembles the human walking gait more than any other movement known to man. In fact, even with all the technological advances made in the field of physical therapy, no one has been able to replicate this movement on any machine. Because the walking motion of the horse closely
Horse and rider become a team, offering the student
resembles the human walking gait, horses used in
the opportunity to develop the kind of communication
equine-assisted therapy facilitates the activation of
skills, trust, and accomplishment that go beyond the
postural control, balance, and motor and sensory
barn. The connection between animal and human has
systems which cannot be recreated in a traditional
been proven to foster respect and confidence while the
therapy setting. In addition, horses connect with us in
gentle loving nature of the horse lessens anxiety and
ways that, at times, cannot be measured or described.
fear. Students become highly motivated to learn and to
Horses give us unconditional trust and love, reducing
grow towards their full potential.
stress and fear which can allow breakthrough successes. It is proven that horses can cause us to emote faster than other therapeutic avenues which enhance motivation
Some of the Benefits of Equine-Assisted Therapy
and learning opportunities. A detailed description of the benefits of therapeutic riding is appended.
Physical
Improved strength and balance
T he goal of therapeutic riding is to promote independence
Cognitive
Improved sequencing and planning
Behavorial
Unconditional trust and patience
Emotional
Impulse control and empathy
Social
Kindness, respect and confidence
through learning riding skills. Riders combine physical activity, cognitive stimulation and emotional connection with the horse. The strength, rhythmic motion and warmth of the horse allow the rider to improve muscle tone, balance and coordination while enjoying exercise and learning in a positive, safe environment.
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Christian & Sidney
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Therapeutic riding offers a motivational opportunity to improve concentration, attention span, memory, communication, decision making, problem solving, sequencing, patience, judgment and insight development.
Veterans
Youth
Adults
Who We Serve Since 1992, Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center has been enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities through the interaction with the horse. We hope you will join us on this journey. At Swiftsure Ranch the horse provides physical movement
participants, three evenings and Saturday mornings have
and a non-judgmental experience that boosts confidence,
been added to the five day per week schedule.
trust and emotional bonding for our riders. Our team of nine certified instructors (5 full/part time and 4 volunteer)
In addition to our regular weekly riding program, we
teach riding skills focusing on the rider’s physical,
provide services at no charge to other programs in our
cognitive, mental and emotional needs.
Our dedicated
community including: The Idaho School for the Deaf and
core of 65 trained program volunteers provide support in
Blind, Camp Rainbow Gold’s Cancer Camp for Children,
over 100 hours of lessons each week.
Higher Ground and Boise VA. Each summer our program also sponsors a state-wide Junior Rodeo and Stampede for
Our regularly scheduled riders, who range in age from
riders with disabilities.
2 years to 81 years, face a wide range of challenges including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental
Swiftsure
Delay, Down Syndrome, Integration Issues, Mental and
dedicated staff, instructors, volunteers and especially
Ranch
Therapeutic
Equestrian
Center‘s
Emotional Disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, Attention Deficit
the 225 participants in our various programs each year -
Hyperactivity Disorder, Traumatic Brain and Spinal Cord
Thank you for your continued support.
Injury, Stroke, and Parkinson‘s. To accommodate these 110
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As students experience the unconditional trust and patience of a therapy horse, changes
Kianna & Ben
are seen in the student’s self-confidence, self-awareness, mood regulation, hopefulness, goal setting, and positive risk taking. Students become able to deal with both successes and failures as positive learning opportunities.
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Our Legacy Since 1992 Honoring Our Past Therapeutic riding in the Wood River Valley began when founder, Kristy Pigeon, recognized the benefits people in wheelchairs could obtain by riding. Initially she gave lessons at her home. As the program evolved and grew, she leased and eventually purchased land on Buttercup Road from the Idaho State Board of Land Commissioners. In 1992, Kristy incorporated Sagebrush Equestrian Training Center for the Handicapped (SETCH), a 501(c)(3).
2011 Higher Ground
The original facility housed two equine programs that operated independently but used the same horses and instructors for efficiency. The for-profit program was for able-bodied riders and boarders and the SETCH nonprofit therapeutic riding program was for physically, cognitively and emotionally challenged riders.
There
By 2009 the therapeutic riding program had grown to
never has been a charge to the riders attending the
over 100 riders with 17 program horses operating four
therapeutic riding programs run by Swiftsure Ranch
days a week.
Therapeutic Equestrian Center (formerly SETCH), which
the Board that paying rent for a shared facility, while
is supported almost entirely by the annual Cowboy Ball
competing for arena time as well as space for the horses,
fundraising event held each summer.
was not ideal. It was also restricting the ability of the
It was becoming increasingly evident to
program to absorb the waiting list of qualified people During the early years the therapeutic riding program
who could benefit from the program.
operated only in the fair weather months utilizing the shared outdoor riding facilities. In the late 1990’s, as
For two years the board and staff focused on finding a
both programs grew and additional facilities were
“home� that would enable SETCH to increase the number
needed, Kristy built a large indoor arena enabling year-
of riders served as well as introducing other traditional
round riding.
therapeutic riding activities into its program.
This dramatically changed the SETCH
This
program by enabling fall, winter and spring sessions to
search ended in November of 2011 when Swiftsure
be added, thus providing for students year-round.
Ranch became available for purchase.
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Nathan & Yum Yum
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The positive horse and human interaction experienced through therapeutic riding can result in a greater sense of teamwork, responsibility, impulse control, limit setting, selfdiscipline, regulation, and relaxation.
Step One A Big Step Forward Our New Home A truly long term and far reaching event for the program happened on November 25, 2011 when SETCH was the successful bidder for the 191 acre Swiftsure Ranch in Bellevue for $1,900,000. Swiftsure Ranch was originally designed as a horse
campaign, thus enabling the organization to embark on
breeding and show facility with a small indoor arena,
the first step of the master plan for Swiftsure Ranch: to
large outdoor dressage arena, stabling barn with outdoor
renovate the existing structures making them functional
paddocks, pasture land for the horses, 61 acres of irrigated
for the program by the summer of 2012. The move to the
farm land to grow hay, and historic water rights. While
new facility was celebrated with a community open house
the ranch had significant deferred maintenance, Swiftsure
at Swiftsure Ranch, followed by the opening of the summer
Ranch held enormous potential for the SETCH program
program on schedule in June of 2012.
and was the perfect new home. In December of 2012, the legal name of the organization The purchase of Swiftsure Ranch would not have been
was changed from Sagebrush Equine Training Center
possible without the unanimous support of the SETCH
for the Handicapped to Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic
Board of Directors who collectively pledged in excess
Equestrian Center.
of half a million dollars to this quiet phase of the capital
Our sincere thanks to several long time friends of the program and the board members who graciously contributed $1,000,000 to our first step. Ranch Machinery, Equipment & Irrigation (5%) Program Vehicles (in-kind donation) (6%) Office Remediation & Repairs (6%) General Ranch Repairs (10%)
Ranch & Equine Managers Residence Repairs (4%) Debt Service (4%)
Funds Allocated to Purchase (42%)
Arena Remediation & Repairs (23%) 11
Acey & Henry
Step Two Building Our Future Improving Program Facilities What a difference a year makes. Everyone at Swiftsure Ranch is focused on the mission to make the new facility the best it can possibly be for both the program and riders. The enthusiasm of riders, instructors, volunteers, staff and board members is palpable at the program’s new home. The Swiftsure Ranch therapeutic riding program currently
This
serves 110 riders per week year-round. We continue to
or eliminate the waiting list, but will enable the program
have a waiting list of qualified candidates for therapeutic
to add other traditional equine-therapy programs not
riding.
currently feasible with such limited space.
As wonderful as the new facility is, it became
arena
structure
will
not
only
reduce
The new
evident during the 2012/13 winter session that the
arena structure will include an attached wing for a
organization cannot accommodate all the program
reception
participants within the existing indoor arena, even after
activity room, viewing area, waiting areas for parents and
increasing staff and client hours to include three evenings
families, a reference library, ADA bathrooms, commercial
and Saturday mornings.
kitchen, meeting/training room and office spaces.
With the help of a master planning group, the board and
A second priority is to cover the existing 100 X 230
staff have developed a preliminary plan for the Swiftsure
foot outdoor arena which allows our riders to enjoy
Ranch property. The highest priority in the plan is the
the natural setting of the ranch during their lessons
addition of a large indoor arena to be located in close
in the summer and fall.
proximity to the existing arena and horse barns. This
will provide relief from the sun for riders, instructors,
will facilitate year-round riding, enabling all qualified
and volunteers.
individuals who benefit from therapeutic riding the opportunity to participate.
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new
area,
physical
therapy
room,
classroom,
A roof with open sides
Capital Campaign Step Two - $2,630,000 Potential Naming Opportunities
New Indoor Arena
$1,165,000
Roof Cover for Outdoor Arena Program Support Wing
$250,000
Central Courtyard
$225,000
Infrastructure Improvements
$560,000
$430,000
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Hugh, Dominik & Patches 14
The therapy horse’s ability to model kindness and respect to the student fosters positive interaction between humans. When working with other students, improvements are seen in teamwork, cooperation, trust, respect, leadership, responsibility, and empathy.
Step Three 2015 and Beyond Taking the Final Steps Infrastructure requirements for the ranch indicated in the master plan, such as: replacing ranch fencing, installing additional trail systems, and building storage facilities will be the focus of this final step of our capital campaign. It became evident this past year that operating the
organizations in our community who could benefit from
program at the Swiftsure Ranch provides unparalleled
the services provided at the ranch.
opportunities to collaborate with other organizations in the community who can benefit from our facility and
While the program and the facility infrastructure is
programs.
Non-profit groups who have expressed an
the focus of the organization, it is also critical that the
interest in working with us at the ranch include: Higher
organization be fiscally responsible and service the debt
Ground, Camp Rainbow Gold, Boise VA, Blaine Manor,
incurred when the ranch was purchased in 2011. The five
Blaine County Youth Probation Office and local physical
year final loan payment will become due in December
therapists. While we currently provide program support
2016 so retiring the debt is included in this the final step
without charge to several of these non-profit organizations,
of the campaign.
it is hoped that as we develop additional collaborative activities, joint or shared funding will become available.
The long range vision at Swiftsure Ranch Therapeutic Equestrian Center is only possible with your continued
With
Therapeutic
generous support for the facility and programs that
Equestrian Center will be one of the finest facilities in
your
support,
make life a little better for those who ride the Ranch.
the country for riders with disabilities, as well as having
All who participate and share in the miracles sincerely
the
thank you.
infrastructure
to
Swiftsure
work
Ranch
with
other
non-profit
Entry Access and Gate to Ranch Road Infrastructure
$80,000
$110,000
Ranch Fencing
$200,000
Storage Facilities
$110,000
Retire Debt
$500,000
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Living with disability, particularly with the consequences of injuries as severe as mine, is not only isolating and frustrating but staggeringly expensive. Everything I once did for myself, by myself, without a thought, I must now pay others to do for me (and/or purchase pricey adaptive equipment to accomplish some approximation of the task), round-the-clock, for life. At the same time, a feasible path toward earning any portion of that living is obscure at best. For a program like SETCH to exist and be accessible to people like me, at no cost, is an incalculable benefit. It really is a life-changing service that these professionals provide. They are breaking down barriers in so many ways...rebuilding physical strength & self-confidence, restoring an avenue for social interaction. -Teresa Hukari
114 Calypso Lane Bellevue, ID 83313 208.578.9111 info@swiftsureranch.org www.swiftsureranch.org