Horses & Horizons plans fall funfest

Horses & Horizons plans fall funfest

Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center, Inc. will hold a Fall FunFest on Sunday from 1 o 5 p.m. at the center.

It features two fundraisers: the organization’s Annual Walk-A-Thon plus a “Horse Plop Bingo.” There is an indoor riding arena, so activities will be held rain or shine.

Walk-a-thon participants will receive prizes at certain levels based on the amount of pledges they raise from sponsors. There will be a grand prize for the person who raises the most money in pledges for the walk. There also will be grab bag prizes for every two laps each participant walks. Each lap around the fields is approximately one-third mile. Light refreshments will be provided for the walkers.

“Horse Plop Bingo” is a new addition this year. Plots in the outdoor riding arena must be purchased ahead of time for a fee of $5 each.

During the FunFest, the riding arena will be divided into a grid of plots. After spending time in the adjoining pasture, several of the program’s lesson horses will be placed in the riding arena. The owner of the first plot on which a horse “plops” will be the winner of a $50 Amazon.com gift card.

Horses & Horizons Therapeutic Learning Center is located 10 miles south of Tamaqua at 375 Zion’s Stone Church Road, just off Route 309.

The center serves children and adults with disabilities such as cerebral palsy, developmental delays, mental retardation, Down syndrome, autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities, among others.

Therapeutic horseback riding has been shown to improve balance, strength, and posture. For those with learning or mental disabilities, therapeutic riding helps to increase attention span, patience, and motivation for learning. It also boosts self-image and independence, as well as helping to promote socialization.

Horses & Horizons T.L.C. is staffed entirely by volunteers. Riders pay a nominal fee for lessons, with some receiving financial aid from the center.

The bulk of the funds for the care and feeding of the special lesson horses comes from fundraisers.

For more information, contact Harvey or Elaine Smith at 570-386-5679 or elshhtlc1@gmail.com.