Horses Provide Powerful Thearapy at HATS

Susan Annan, instructor with Horse Alternative Therapeutic Services, is shown with therapy horse, Michael

Imagine a child being set free from his wheel chair. Or an autistic child making a connection with her world. Each week the Horse Alternative Therapeutic Services (H.A.T.S) in Pelham, Ontario makes both of these seemingly impossible scenarios a reality.


H.A.T.S is a non-profit, charitable organization which provides programs using horses as a therapeutic method to improve physical and/or emotional health and quality of life of children and adults.

“We help a number of people,” says Susan Annan, CTRAI - Instructor for the program. “We have people with autism, cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome and others in wheel chairs coming to be with the horses. Therapeutic riding is great.”

Therapeutic riding was developed based on the principal that a horse’s movement duplicates the motion of the human pelvis. It provides many benefits such as strengthening muscles, improving attention span, helping an individual socialize and giving freedom and independence to someone not able to walk.

Annan has first hand experience of the value of H.A.T.S.

“I herniated the disc in my back,” she says. “I was looking for an activity to do and since I enjoyed the company of horses and H.A.T.S was near to my home I joined up as a volunteer.”

Her chiropractor said she would never be able to ride, but one day she decided to give it a try.

“When I went back to my chiropractor he asked me what I had been doing because my core strength in my back was really good. I told him ‘don’t yell, but I’ve been riding a horse’. That’s how I got interested in therapeutic riding.”

She says the progress a child makes physically and emotionally is amazing.

“We have one little gentleman and he is forever kissing the horse,” Annan says. “Another little autistic boy wanted off and on the pony throughout his whole first lesson. I thought maybe it was too soon for him to begin the program, but his mother said ‘are you kidding? This child has never said boo and I put him in the car after his lesson and he didn’t stop talking all the way home.’”

Annan says his mother thought “it was a miracle” because the child “kept going on and on about the horses and ponies.”

She says this is a typical experience at H.A.T.S.

“I’ve seen that happen with a number of the children. Emotionally, the kids do get attached to the horses. The horses are just irreplaceable in the way of physical and emotional assistance with these kids.”

But the cost of running H.A.T.S can be expensive. Annan says looking after one horse alone can cost up to $8000.00 per year, which is why the program relies on fundraisers to keep going.

“Our annual spring fundraiser is on March 26th,” she says. “It’s a silent auction and dinner and tickets are $25 each.”

It will be from 6 -12 pm at the Beacon Best Western Harbourside in Jordan.

Annan hopes the benefit has a good turnout because H.A.T.S is “very beneficial”.

“The exercise that you get from riding a horse is not the same as anything you’re going to get from a physiotherapist or at a gym,” she says. “Once that horse is moving you’re required to use a lot of muscle in order to maintain your balance up there. You’re not just working one muscle , you’ve got legs, you’ve got back you’ve got everything going on. It’s very beneficial.”

The fun the children have is undeniable, she says.

“We have a lot of fun. I typically try to do something special each session. This session we are blessed with birthday parties for the horses,” Annan laughs. “ In the summer we have a western rodeo kind of thing or pyjama parties. We do all the holidays with decorations too. The kids are always giggling, playing games and trotting. The first time you put a child on a horse or pony and you have them trotting the laughter is just terrific. They really appreciate the program.”

Annan says H.A.T.S is fun for her as well.

“I’ve seen the benefits. There’s so many of them. Kids that were struggling to just hold the reigns or sit up or control the horse- I’ve seen them progress. I have a lot of fun teaching . You get into the groove. The kids just love it. And until that passion and imagination goes away I’m here to stay.”

H.A.T.S is located at Classic Farms on 1020 Kilman Road in Pelham. To contact them call (905) 704-9820; email hatson@becon.org or visit http://www.hatsniagara.org/.

Published in Niagara Farmers' Monthly -March 2011

Sleigh Bells are Ringing...

Donna Warner, Tanner Warner, Jaden Ness, Les Brent, Alexis Guineon and Maddox Guineon at Warner Farms

http://niagarafarmers.com/november2010/index.html
When the first few snow flakes fall from the sky this winter Donna Warner will be pulling out her Santa hat and getting her sleigh bells ready.

“As soon as the snow arrives we begin giving our horse drawn sleigh rides,” she says.

Warner, and her husband Bill, have been running Warner Ranch and Pumpkin Farm, in Niagara Falls, for twenty years.

She says they didn’t plan on opening their farm to the public, rather it “just sort of happened.”

“It started really simple,” Warner says. “We started growing a few pumpkins and our son’s school asked if they could come out for a trip. Then other schools asked if they could come out for a trip and it blossomed into this.”

A few pumpkins branched out to include corn mazes, pony rides, a petting zoo and more.

Warner says since the farm is open year round people are able to enjoy an authentic “country experience” during each season. And, because she believes in keeping it affordable for families, she has not increased prices since the farm first opened.

“Things can get expensive; especially when you have a large family,” she says. “We want to give families affordable memories and the whole country experience. We’re not just about pumpkins or apples or horses. It’s a combined experience.”

The addition of a horse-drawn sleigh ride about ten years ago has given people even more to look forward to each winter. Because the rides are extremely popular Warner says people must call in advance to make sure room is available.

“We have people booking rides now,” she says. “We’ve even had people from Florida call because having a sleigh ride is on their bucket list. They don‘t get snow down there so it‘s something they want to experience.”

Warner Ranch started out with one party sleigh that could hold up to 14 people, but because of frequent requests, they added a smaller sleigh a few years ago.

“People wanted to go on romantic rides,” she says. “So we bought a sleigh that seats two to four people because of the popular demand.”

Warner says it’s not only the sleigh rides people are interested in, but the horses pulling the sleighs are just as popular.

“We use two Belgian horses per sleigh,” she says. “They are the largest breed of horse. They weigh about 2000 pounds each. They are the strongest and the quietest breed.”

Belgian horses have a prestigious history as well.

“Belgian horses are what the knights in armour used. They are called the gentle giants.”

The sleigh rides last about an hour and people can book a ride during the day or night.

“The rides are available whenever people want,” she says. “It doesn’t get dark with the snow and the moon reflecting off each other in the winter. And we have solar powered Christmas lights set up so you can see the sleigh going through the trail.”

Warner says a sleigh ride is perfect for those looking to snuggle under some blankets, have some hot chocolate and share a romantic evening together. And the party sleigh rides are fun for the entire family.

“We have 170 acres here,” she says. “50 acres of trail goes through the bush. If there are kids coming out on the sleigh ride we tie tubes to the back of the sleigh and they can ride that way.”

Sleigh rides are one of Warner’s favourite things to do on the farm.

“It’s very pretty. With the sleigh bells and Christmas music playing it’s nice. I like sleigh rides.”

Warner says she loves “the freedom” of running the farm and meeting new people.

“I do it because of all the people I meet. There was a lady that wrote me a note recently and I was in tears after reading it. She told me her family comes every year to the farm and she thinks it’s wonderful that we let people experience all of this. Those are the moments that I love.”

Warner Ranch and Pumpkin Farm is located at 7705 Schisler Road in Niagara Falls.

Belgian horse sleigh rides are $125 per ride and must be booked in advance.

For more information visit www.warnerranchandpumpkinfarm.com or call (905) 384- 2684.

Published in Niagara Farmer's Monthly- November 2010

Ready for Christmas at the Christmas Cottage

Nancy DeVries and Lisa Foderaro at Cole's Christmas Cottage

http://niagarafarmers.com/november2010/index.html
The aroma of cinnamon and pine fills the air and glittery ornaments sparkle from several trees decked out for Christmas.

Walking through the small cottage is like being at a formal party put on by Santa Claus himself.
Each room features a specific colour scheme overflowing with ornaments, decorations, wreaths and other Christmas collectibles.

Cole’s Christmas Cottage is a must for those looking for unique holiday decorations and accessories.

Harry and Nancy DeVries opened Cole’s Christmas Cottage in 2002 because they thought it would be a great addition to the Grimsby area.

“Christmas stores are popular in other tourist areas and being close to the wineries, and in Niagara, we thought it would be a good fit,” says Harry DeVries.

Working at Cole’s Christmas Cottage keeps Lisa Foderaro in the holiday spirit throughout the winter season.

“I’m a Christmas fool,” she says. “I love decorating and setting up the trees the best. And I enjoy helping the customers with ideas for their own trees. It’s great working here.”

She says customers return year after year to add new pieces to their Christmas collections.

“There’s a lot of regulars. They can’t wait until it opens and they come in every year and pick up something,” she says. “Everyone seems to be very happy coming through the store. They just want to walk around and see it all.”

Nancy DeVries says choosing ornaments for a Christmas tree is special and creates great memories.

“People’s eyes light up when they see how beautiful it is,” she says. “It’s fun listening to people and helping them choose their colours. It’s an enjoyable time and people are excited and that makes us excited.”

She says she has shared a few unforgettable experiences with customers during the Christmas season, but one story was particularly moving.

“One year a woman came into the store desperate to find decorations,” she says. “Her husband had been in the hospital because he was dying of cancer, but he was allowed to come home for Christmas. She was upset because with all the travelling between her home and the hospital she had not bothered to decorate for the holidays.”

The woman had pointed to one of the decorated display trees and asked that the whole thing be delivered to her house, says Nancy.

“She wanted it to be special because it was going to be his last Christmas. She just needed to make it special for him and wanted the whole tree,” she says. “It was quite a while ago but it is something you remember. There’s other people that come in, probably with the same thing happening in their lives, but they don’t always share it. They want to make Christmas special for someone too.”

Being involved in people’s lives on such an intimate level makes working at the Christmas cottage very rewarding for Nancy.

“Everyone has a special ornament that means a lot,” says Nancy. “And I get to be a part of that.”

She says the first ornament that gets put up on her tree is one celebrating her and Harry’s first Christmas together.

“That one has to go up every year,” she says. “It is a special dated one.”

The DeVries also own Cole’s Floral Garden Décor, which is located directly beside the Christmas Cottage.

They hold many seminars and workshops during the Christmas season focussing on decoration ideas.

Each year the DeVries donate the proceeds of all Christmas tree sales for the entire season to local charities.

“We enjoy giving back to the community,” says Harry.

Another event the DeVries are looking forward to is the Poinsettia Premiere taking place on November 26-27th.

“It’s the official launch of all the different varieties of poinsettias for the season and the community likes to come check them out,” he says.

If you want to get an early start on your Christmas experience you can visit the Cole’s Christmas Cottage in Grimsby at 147 Main Street East. Or check out their website at http://www.colesflorist.ca/

Published in Niagara Farmers' Monthly - November 2010