How Health Directed Riding Started Locally

Jan Dahl MA, PT joined Health Dimensions Rehabilitation, Inc in Cambridge, MN in 1995 as a pediatric Physical Therapist. She brought with her eleven years of experience in the therapeutic horseback riding field. Jan along with Kandy Moen, President of Health Dimensions Rehab, discussed the benefits of therapeutic riding and their mutual desire to establish a program to serve east central Minnesota. In 1996, Health Directed Riding became a member-operating center of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and also received their 501(c)(3) non-profit status.

Health Dimensions Rehab provided the initial financial support and the first riders from the pediatric clinic began riding in August of 1995.

Horses were trailered to the Isanti County Fairgrounds each day the program was in operation. In July of 1996 the program moved to Pinesong Ranch in Grandy, MN when the owner discovered the program and offered her facilities and horses to the program.

In 1996 the program incorporated Occupational Therapy and Speech pediatric and clinic clients. In September of that year Margaret Clare a NARHA registered instructor with ten years of experience in therapeutic riding joined the staff of HDR. The addition of another instructor allowed the program to expand services from two days a week to an additional two evenings a week. Jan Dahl also earned her certification as a NARHA registered instructor in October of that year.

Health Directed Riding continued to operate at Pinesong Ranch until the 2001 riding season when the program was relocated to Hiddenbrook Farm The 2003 riding season found HDR back at Pat Rehbein's Pinesong Ranch in Grandy sharing her love of horses and children and the incredible effect the two can have on ones life.

In 2004 Rhonda Mostrom, LPTA became a certified riding instructor with HDR. Rhonda volunteered for several years, working with Jan and the children, learning the riding program and the clinical setting in town.

The activities of Health Directed Riding are governed by it's Board of Directors. Board members serve on a volunteer basis and receive no compensation for their services. We have received tremendous response to our request for volunteers and many of the daily program activities are staffed by volunteers from the local community. Volunteers receive formal training prior to participating in the program.

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