Making giant strides

Oak Bluff

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/01/2025 (452 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Just outside Oak Bluff sits West Wind Stables. Inside, sheltered from the colder winter months, are 42 horses.

Although half of the massive barn where they’re kept is dedicated to privately-owned horses, the other half is cared for by the non-profit Prairie Strides program, which gives kids living with disabilities the opportunity to ride and interact with the horses, helping them become more physically confident while also encouraging social and emotional growth.

When they’re not working, the massive animals live a life of near-luxury, stomping and huffing with impatience as they await their dinner. However, during the warmer seasons, they play a very important role in the lives of children from in and around Winnipeg.

While the riding program is currently in the midst of its winter hiatus, Prairie Strides will hold its annual market — the registered charity’s biggest fundraising event of the year — on Feb. 1 and 2 at Assiniboia Downs (3975 Portage Ave.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days.

Proceeds collected from the event, which costs $5 to attend (kids under 12 get in free), will support the program, which connects children aged five to 15 with domestic horses for riding and grooming lessons.

The programming was designed specifically for kids with autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, visual impairments, and other developmental disabilities. Established in 1977, Prairie Strides is open to any child who is safely able to ride or interact with the animals. Riding is taught on an individual basis, depending on the participant’s needs.

“There isn’t a part I don’t like,” said Chris Dolinski, executive director of Prairie Strides. “I think it’s gratifying to see the kids flourish and evolve their life skills.”

Each participant in the program is assisted by a trained instructor and three volunteers each, all of whom walk or run — depending on the horse — alongside to keep the children safe. Sessions are done in groups of four over 10 weeks — one in the spring and one in the fall.

To account for those unable to ride, the organization introduced a ground program last fall, which focuses on grooming and caring for the horses — and enables the kids to form a relationship with “their horse.”

“You just see this calm come across (the kids),” Dolinski said. “One of our riders that wouldn’t get on (initially) … by the end, we got him so he would lay across the horse’s back. And her back’s wide enough and flat enough that he could play cars on her, and she just stood there and slept.”

Dolinski said she often sees huge changes in the kids throughout their time in the program, especially as they become more comfortable and sure of themselves.

“In some of the non-verbal kids… you do see the signs of them communicating, or (expressing when) they’re feeling more comfortable within their environment, because sometimes that change is very hard.”

“The longer I volunteer, I’m able to follow each rider as they go through the program,” said Paige Quick, a program instructor. “Just seeing their evolution, and also being able to share the joy I get from riding with the kids and seeing how much joy they’re able to get out of it, as well, is awesome.”

Quick, 21, has been an instructor for about two years. She came across the program while using the stable to ride her own horse, and began to volunteer as soon as she was old enough. Although she was cleaning and helping out at first, she eventually trained alongside her current horse, Snap, who became involved in the program when Quick did.

Having the kids look forward to coming is rewarding, she said.

“You can see whatever emotion they have that day, they kind of almost leave it at the door when they come in,” Quick added. “And the second they walk in that room, even if they’re not smiling, the next minute they are.”

The annual market at Assiniboia Downs will feature vendors selling baked goods, antiques and collectibles, crafts, and more. There will also be a 50/50, raffle prizes, and the first 1,000 people through the doors will be entered to win a 65-inch RCA smart TV.

Prairie Strides is funded entirely by donations and fundraising initiatives such as the market. People interested in donating can do so online through a variety of different ways.

Volunteers can be anyone aged 15 and older, who can apply online at www.prairiestrides.com