Naughty Pine Riding Ranch offers both fun and therapy for everyone

Submitted by
Deannie Lunyk

It has been quite a first year with special thanks to Patrica O’Connor, Kim Lamphiear and Nicholas Jensson who have been fantastic volunteers, from helping map out new trails, helping during day camp, to training horses to work with challenged riders.
Patricia O’Connor even rode in the Railroad Daze Parade and worked the pony rides afterwards.
The summer included trail rides, gave basic riding lessons, coached riding sessions and pony rides with games for the kids that were too young to go on a trail ride. Many small groups of riders, including challenged people took scenic trail rides in the fields and woodlands behind the ranch.
The oldest trail rider was 79 years young proving that people of all ages can enjoy riding horses!
A very successful day camp was held this year and the kids had loads of fun. “I really enjoy working with the kids, as I am a qualified Social Service Worker. I learned that horses are excellent teachers of social skills! They teach people to be assertive, and keep them in the “now”. Some of the kids had anger management issues and they learned how to keep cool calm and collected; to think first then react,” said owner Deannie Lunyk.
Riding horses is a fun way to improve one’s mental and physical health, to increase bone density and reduce stress. “I personally am a mobility challenged horse professional, proving that anyone can work with and ride these very special smooth gaited PasoFino horses. I have no kneecap! I have lost 30 pounds since I started guiding rides regularly and am walking better than I have in years!” said Lunyk.
For people with back or neck injuries, it is a fun and pleasant way to build up even the small muscles evenly resulting in a stronger back. Riding, like gardening, is at the top of the list for activities which increase bone density. For many people, reduced bone density is a growing concern. Riding on these smooth riding horses that never trot can also strengthen ankles and shoulders and knees as well.
People with psychological issues, like bi-polar, depression and autism are really helped a lot by riding and working with horses. They learn coping skills, to be assertive and enjoy being in the “now”, giving them a welcome break from their symptoms.
Lunyk has also started training horses for people at their location as well. “I like to train both the horse and its owner so that they get the skills to keep the horse behaving and performing well on their own afterwards.” The main focus for the Fall, Winter and Spring, at the ranch, will be therapeutic riding, trail riding, lessons, with ski-joring in winter if there is enough interest. Ski joring is a really fun team activity, where one person rides the horse and one person is on a tow rope on a snow board or skis. For those who don’t ski, a toboggan can be used. They also have horses available for lease and for sale.
For more information we can be reached at 807 852 4234 or by email at HYPERLINK “mailto:naughtypine-ranch@hotmail.com”naughtypine-ranch@hotmail.com. or check out our website at http://users.xplornet.com/~naughtypineranch/