1. Review the Eligibility Requirements
2. Submit completed application form to Ginger Reitz:
   email the Horsemanship Department, attn Ginger
   mail: Warm Beach Camp
   20800 Marine Dr
   Stanwood, WA 98292
3. Assessment visit. Prospective participants will be contacted to schedule an appointment.
   A $50 assessment fee is required and will be applied to the registration cost of a session. Sorry, no refunds if the assessment results in our inability to serve an applicant.
4. Warm Beach Camp staff will determine the suitability of this activity for the prospective participant and if approved will place them in an appropriate class.

Generally, participants will be able to demonstrate the following characteristics for participation:

Physical: Participants should walk independently on uneven surfaces, without assistant devices such as crutches, walkers or chairs. They should have the ability to move backward, sideways, stand and walk without falling. Demonstrate good neck and head control, shoulder stability and arm strength. Tolerate weight bearing exercises. Must have ability to have some hearing from a distance to be able to follow instructions. Therapeutic Vaulting participants must also be able to dismount immediately from the horse or the barrel.

Cognitive: Ability and willing to follow direction. Demonstrate healthy self-preservation. Demonstrate self-restraint in case of frustration.

Social: Ability to function in a group setting. Must be able to share. Demonstrate safe behavior around fellow vaulters and horse.

Health Condition Precautions & Contraindications
The following conditions, if present may represent Precautions & Contraindications to therapeutic horsemanship. Therefore, when considering participation, please note in the application form whether these conditions are present and to what degree. Medical consent from your physician may be necessary to include in any equine related activity.

MEDICAL/SURGICAL

• Allergies (specifically grasses, animals and dust)
• Aneurysm
• Cancer
• Cerebral Palsy
• Diabetes
• Gastrostomy Tube
• Heart Condition
• Hypertension
• Peripheral Vascular Disease
• Poor Endurance
• Recent Surgery
• Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)
• Known Thrombus
• Known Embolus
• Varicose Veins

ORTHOPEDIC

• Arthritis
• Atlantoaxial Instabilities
• Coxarthrosis
• Cranial Deficits
• Heterotopic Ossification
• Hip Subluxation & Dislocation
• Internal Spinal Stabilization Devices (such as Harrington Rods)
• Kyphosis
• Lordosis
• Non-weight Bearing (requiring transfers with a Hoyer-lift)
• Osteogenesis Imperfecta
• Osteoporosis
• Paralysis
• Pathologic Fractures
• Scoliosis
• Spinal Fusion
• Spinal Instabilities/Abnormalities
• Spinal Orthoses

NEUROLOGICAL

• Chiari ii
• Malformation
• Hemophilia
• Hydrocephalus/Shunt
• Hydromyelia
• Seizures
• Spina Bifida
• Tethered Cord

SECONDARY CONCERNS

• Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Disorder
• Behavior Problems (including aggression, self-mutilation)
• Indwelling Catheter
• Any form of PortG-tube/J-tube/NG Tube of liquid diet feeding
• Weight limit of 150 pounds (for mounted activities)

Those with a combination of diagnosis such as but not limited to the following:

• ADD/ADHD
• Amputation
• Arthritis
• Autism
• Cerebral Palsy
• Developmental delay or disability
• Down Syndrome
• Emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues
• Foster or adoption
• Genetic conditions/disorders
• Head trauma/brain injury
• Hearing or Visual impairment
• Learning disability
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Orthopedic disorder
• Paralysis
• PTSD
• Spina Bifida
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke
• Trauma
• Youth identified as “at risk”

Is this program right for me or my loved one?
With such a wide range of conditions potentially benefitting from Horse Assisted Learning, care is taken to select those who can safely participate. In order to be placed in a class, prospective participants must first submit a completed application form to the Director of the Therapeutic Horsemanship. Care is taken to make sure that each one can participate safely and be successful within the class structure we can provide. A physician permission to participate may be required. Medical and liability releases will be required.

The purpose of Horse Assisted Therapy (learning) is to provide interventions that would not be possible with only a human provider. Animals interact with humans in a variety of therapeutic forms, but at the base of the interaction is a lessening of human stress and increase in mutual trust. Horses provide an additional aspect of the therapeutic process that many other animals cannot. They are prey animals and; therefore, they do not trust easily, demand respect to provide respect, and due to their size are not easily bullied or manipulated. Horses also live by a set of rules that is based on the family system. They are herd animals and their survival depends upon communication and their relationship with the other herd members. Horses read subtle changes in human body language, emotion, positive and negative energy, and basic intentions of others. Horse assisted psychotherapy utilizes the horse's responsive nature as a therapy tool and part of the therapy team's options for treatment. They are naturally curious, have individual personalities, and mirror human behavior.

We do not provide therapy. However, we do provide therapeutic moments and environments – that is defined by any activity that promotes personal growth or introspection. Horse Assisted Therapy is truly both educational and therapeutic.

Cancellations prior to the start of class will be credited for full tuition minus a $50 administrative fee. No refunds are offered once class has begun. Exceptions may be made for emergencies. No refunds are made when missing a class offered as an alternative. Credit will be given for class cancellations made by the staff, not including weather or “Acts of God.” Generally, the program will follow the inclement weather school closure schedules of the Stanwood and Lakewood School districts.