Equine Elders provides engaging and empowering activities for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia. We offer physical activity, memory, and speech stimulation; access to a beautiful, safe, outdoor environment and an opportunity for emotional healing and joy.
A Devastating Disease
Chances are you know someone—a close family member or friend—who’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. I did. My dad had dementia and he’s the inspiration behind the creation of this program.
Nearly six million people in the United States are living with the disease (the Alzheimer’s Association). That figure will nearly triple in 30 years if current rates continue.
It’s the sixth leading cause of death among Americans. It kills more people than breast and prostate cancer combined. And it’s the only leading cause of death that essentially has no effective treatment.
Spending time with animals in nature helps reduce social isolation and loneliness in the elderly and improves quality of life.
Plus, its good for the soul 🙂
Our Equine Elders’ program consists of unmounted activities for older adults. This means no horse backing riding is involved. Our program is designed to facilitate the journey people with dementia and their care partners experience after diagnosis.
Book an Equine Elders Session
Equine Activities for Seniors Include:
- Observing horses and their personalities
- Using senses – noticing horses’ hair colors, smells, warmth, and sounds
- Grooming – learning grooming tools and their purpose, practicing dexterity, hand use and arm muscle movements
- Haltering and leading – catching and walking with your horse
- Horse painting – expressive arts, music, breathing and calming techniques.
- Making horse treats
- Discussing equine literature, poetry and haiku writing
- Holding baby goats
- Feeding goats, chickens and fetching eggs
Garden Program
In addition, for those interested, we also provide time in our gardens where participants can plant, tend to the gardens and harvest. If you are interested in our gardening program, please indicate when you register.
Benefits of working with horses:
- Gain self confidence & self esteem.
- The simple act of grooming or cleaning out a horses’ hooves can restore a persons’ feeling of self worth.
- Provide dexterity, hand use and arm muscle movements.
- Improves flexibility and strength.
- Relieves anxiety and stress.
- Stimulates memories, alleviates depression.
- Increases mobility and balance.
- Decreases feelings of loneliness & depression.
Equine Elders Slide Show
Notice to Users
The Fox Moon Farm Project is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, medical treatment, medication, or therapy. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding any mental health symptom or medical condition. The Fox Moon Farm Project Inc. is not authorized to make recommendations about medication or serve as a substitute for professional advice. Never disregard professional psychological or medical advice or delay in seeking professional advice or treatment because of something you have read on The Fox Moon Farm Project, Inc.
We work with PATH International, a federally registered 501(c)3, which leads the advancement of professional equine-assisted services, by supporting its members and stakeholders through rigorously developed standards, credentialing and education.
PATH Intl. was founded in 1969 to promote safe and effective therapeutic — also known as adaptive horseback riding throughout the United States and Canada. Today, PATH Intl. has 813 member centers and nearly 7,000 individual members in countries all over the world who help and support more than 53,300 men, women and children — including nearly 6,000 veterans — with special needs each year through a variety of equine-assisted services.