Equestrian Centre takes seniors for a ride

By Mo Cranker on December 10, 2018.

SUBMITTED PHOTO
Seniors from around the city were treated to a few hours of fun by the Dunmore Equestrian Friday, Dec. 7, 2018 at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede. The seniors got to go on a horse and carriage ride, eat a nice lunch and do some dancing.

mcranker@medicinehatnews.com @MHNmocranker

The Dunmore Equestrian Society held a winter riding event for seniors Friday at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede to help them get in the Christmas spirit.

“This was a Happy Hooves Western Christmas day for two seniors homes,” said director Joyce Stuber. “We had about 50 people here today and I think everyone had a really good time.”

The Dunmore Equestrian Centre bussed the seniors to the Stampede grounds Friday, taking them on a horse and carriage ride, as well as doing a number of other fun activities.

“We brought everyone here and did a sleigh ride for everyone and we were happy that the majority of the seniors were able to get on the wagon,” she said. “Even though it was a little crisp this morning we still had a really great experience.

“We had an entertainer come out, we had a sing along and we did a light lunch — everyone left happy.”

Stuber says the equestrian centre does group therapy classes when it can and will do even more when it is able to build an indoor arena.

“We try to do these for the seniors throughout the year just to get them touching the animals,” she said. “Without the indoor arena we’ve had to cancel quite a few things because of weather.

“When we can get that up and running we will be doing things like this for the seniors .”

The event was held free by the equestrian centre and Stuber says spreading Christmas cheer is important.