A Little Bit about BITS ETC
I (Pauline Meridien) have been the Director of BITS ETC since its inception. My husband and I have hosted this growing Therapeutic Riding Barn since 2003. We treat children and adults with disabilities by providing quality time shared with horses. My husband, Walter England, MD, has been instrumental in providing me with both monetary and emotional support in this endeavor. In his psychiatry practice, he often refers patients for a healthy dose of time with a horse to combat depression, and the debilitating features of chronic pain.
“Back in the Saddle Equine Therapy Center” (BITS ETC) was born when my daughter was studying Hippotherapy techniques in San Francisco in conjunction with her occupational therapy studies at UNH. Her insistence that the two horses we owned (and with whom she grew up) would be perfect for the work, got me hooked on the idea. Well, we put those horses to work, and I have never looked back!
When I found a second-hand barn for sale, my husband pitched in once again, to move it here from northern NH. Seven horses now live here, offering riding and equine activities to people 2 to 92 living with disabilities. We originally collaborated with Lorna Young, a Henniker neighbor who was NARHA certified. Following the guidelines of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, we have grown to encompass several programs, and three instructors, specializing in therapeutic riding, SpiritHorse autism intervention, and Equine Facilitated Educational opportunities, not originally envisioned when we first started.
I traveled to Corinth, TX with two of my instructors in 2009 for further training in offering riding to children and adults on the Autism Spectrum. We were the first facility in the North East to be licensed by SpiritHorse International to offer their unique intervention for autism.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit, we pride ourselves on focusing all funds on advancing our program of horse interaction. The only paid position is that of certified Instructor, providing hands-on teaching to clients. Our Board of Directors, as well as all support personnel during lessons, and the Executive Director position are all voluntary. Funds donated go directly to support our equine partners or to fund scholarships for the riding or vocational education program directly.
We provide a Senior Ride scholarship for those over 55 who wish to ride, but cannot afford the regular fees. We question why children should have all the fun??
I (Pauline Meridien) have been the Director of BITS ETC since its inception. My husband and I have hosted this growing Therapeutic Riding Barn since 2003. We treat children and adults with disabilities by providing quality time shared with horses. My husband, Walter England, MD, has been instrumental in providing me with both monetary and emotional support in this endeavor. In his psychiatry practice, he often refers patients for a healthy dose of time with a horse to combat depression, and the debilitating features of chronic pain.
“Back in the Saddle Equine Therapy Center” (BITS ETC) was born when my daughter was studying Hippotherapy techniques in San Francisco in conjunction with her occupational therapy studies at UNH. Her insistence that the two horses we owned (and with whom she grew up) would be perfect for the work, got me hooked on the idea. Well, we put those horses to work, and I have never looked back!
When I found a second-hand barn for sale, my husband pitched in once again, to move it here from northern NH. Seven horses now live here, offering riding and equine activities to people 2 to 92 living with disabilities. We originally collaborated with Lorna Young, a Henniker neighbor who was NARHA certified. Following the guidelines of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, we have grown to encompass several programs, and three instructors, specializing in therapeutic riding, SpiritHorse autism intervention, and Equine Facilitated Educational opportunities, not originally envisioned when we first started.
I traveled to Corinth, TX with two of my instructors in 2009 for further training in offering riding to children and adults on the Autism Spectrum. We were the first facility in the North East to be licensed by SpiritHorse International to offer their unique intervention for autism.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit, we pride ourselves on focusing all funds on advancing our program of horse interaction. The only paid position is that of certified Instructor, providing hands-on teaching to clients. Our Board of Directors, as well as all support personnel during lessons, and the Executive Director position are all voluntary. Funds donated go directly to support our equine partners or to fund scholarships for the riding or vocational education program directly.
We provide a Senior Ride scholarship for those over 55 who wish to ride, but cannot afford the regular fees. We question why children should have all the fun??