Therapeutic horse program

DIXMONT – Sentient Partners is a nonprofit therapeutic riding and horsemanship program serving the Bangor area. The camp will run from 8 a.m. to noon Saturdays and Sundays, except New Year’s Day, during January and February at Horse Gait Stables in Dixmont.

Candidates for the camp are children with or without special needs. The barn is set up to be accessible, with ramps and a special lift to help riders mount the horses.

Students will learn the fundamentals of horsemanship, including grooming, handling, riding, barn maintenance, nutrition, training, anatomy, breeds, colors, parts and care of tack, self-control, empathy, social skills, nonverbal communication and much more.

Each camp lasts four weekends, consisting of eight four-hour sessions at a cost that is less than the price of eight one-hour sessions. The cost is $200. A $50 deposit will reserve a spot. Space is limited.

Sentient Partners will wrap gifts for donations at Borders to raise money to help families pay for camps. Sentient Partners also are seeking business sponsorships to help families with financial needs receive services.

Sentient Partners also offers private and group lessons for those who cannot commit to four full weekends. More information may be found by logging on to www.sentientpartners.org, or by calling Tiffany at 974-9033.