Group to replace floors for health of horses
ZELIENOPLE — If the 10 horses at Glade Run Adventures could talk, they would thank the 2019 Leadership Butler County class.
The class is raising money to replace the surface and subsurface of two riding arenas and all of the stalls at Glade Run Adventures, which is an equine program geared mainly toward youths with special needs.
The arenas measure 100 by 60 feet and 70 by 40 feet, respectively.
Leadership Butler County, an annual project of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, is holding a murder mystery dinner theater event on May 18 at The Atrium to help raise the $30,000 for the project.
Julie Wahlenmayer, the director of Glade Run Adventures, said the current “footing” in the stalls and arenas might have been the cause of tendon injuries for two horses who are on stall rest to recuperate.
The dry, uneven, compacted sand and dirt surface in the arenas was last outfitted with a surface that used round sand, which is slippery for the horses.
Angular sand will be used in the spring when the new footing is installed, as it provides more stable footing for the horses.
The current arenas' surfaces are also too deep for proper footing by the horses and the clouds of dust produced are unhealthy for everyone.
“This is going to keep them healthy, so they can continue to participate in the programs and provide these services,” Wahlenmayer said.
She said 300 students and youth taking equine camps use the horses each year.
Cindy Skalyo, a therapeutic riding instructor at Glade Run Adventures, said the new surfaces will improve more than the horses' physical health.
“Horses behave better when they are confident in their footing,” Skalyo said.
While the arenas' foundations and surfaces will be replaced by professionals, the Leadership Butler County class members will get their hands dirty in replacing the stall floors.
Wahlenmayer said the heavy floor mats will be removed and the old gravel subbase dug out. New gravel will be shoveled in and new mats laid on top for the horses.
All the work will be completed by members of the Leadership Butler County class.
“We are incredibly grateful,” Wahlenmayer said. “I am very impressed by the class as a whole.”
Parents of the students who participate in the equine therapy program at Glade Run Adventures are also grateful to the Leadership Butler County class of 2019.Andy Winter of South Park in Allegheny County said his 15-year-old son, John, rides at Glade Run twice a week.John, who is autistic, has gained self-confidence since beginning the program that spills over into his school work and social skills, said his father.“(The projects) will improve the health of the horses overall,” said Winter. “If the horses are more healthy, they'll be more apt to please the riders.”He said the family was at first apprehensive at the thought of John piloting such a huge animal.“But after receiving instruction by the outstanding instructors at Glade Run, he learned he can do it and do it well,” Winter said.He said on one occasion, John was cantering around the ring on his horse and leaned forward too far. His mount stopped immediately upon sensing that its rider had lost his balance, and John deployed the emergency dismount he had learned in an earlier lesson.The riding instructor immediately went to John's side to help him up and talk to him.“John went over to the mounting block and got back on. It completely amazed me,” said Winter. “In the past, he would have had a total meltdown and refused to get back up on the horse.”Winter said learning he has the ability to ride a horse has made John realize he can do anything he puts his mind to.“The results have been amazing compared to other therapies we put him through growing up,” he said. “The horse program has definitely been the most beneficial.”Stan Kosciuszko, president of the chamber, said two members of the Leadership Butler County class have children or grandchildren in similar equine programs elsewhere.“So there's a real personal connection for the class,” he said of the group's decision to choose Glade Run Adventures for the fundraiser.Kosciuszko said the class is eager to get to work on the stalls at Glade Run and see the arena surfaces replaced, so the facility can continue to improve the lives of those who need the most help.“The horses will have newly remodeled homes,” Kosciuszko said.While the Leadership Butler County class is raising all the money for the new stall and arena surfaces, donations are accepted for the Glade Run Adventures program through the Glade Run Foundation, Wahlenmayer said.
