Great Plains Adaptive Riding Academy recently purchased a ranch and arena and anticipates growth, KSHB 41 News reported. The purchase could shift the nonprofit’s operations from land it does not own to a permanent site.
The academy was founded in 2013 and describes itself as the first therapeutic horseback riding program of its kind in Wyandotte County. Its website says it serves children and adults with adaptive needs, including autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome, transverse myelitis, developmental delays and emotional disorders.
What the move could change
Great Plains says it is a member center of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. The organization uses one to three trained volunteers per rider during sessions, according to its website. Donations help the academy keep tuition affordable and maintain its programming.
A permanent property could give the academy more control over scheduling, equipment and the layout of its services, but the property’s facilities and any change in program capacity remain unclear. KSHB reported that academy leadership views the property as a way to operate more independently and potentially expand services.
Facility standards provide a useful benchmark
The PATH Intl. facility standards identify several areas relevant to an adaptive-riding site: accessibility, emergency and first-aid equipment, stable and stall maintenance, tack and equipment storage, and arena maintenance, footing and equipment placement. Those benchmarks help describe the operational demands of a permanent facility; they do not indicate whether the Linwood property currently satisfies them…