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Smokin' For SIRE Charity Ride
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The riders arrive at SIRE Spring 
Megan Fry and Bud send the riders on to their next stop 
Visiting the Hockley Facility Bullhorn BBQ Team |
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SIRE Quick Links
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Visit our website for more information on volunteering, becoming a client or making a donation.
here.
View our photos here
 Find Us On Facebook
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 Visit Our Blog |
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SIRE In The News
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Horse Therapy For a Healthy Future
How Equine Therapy is helping Katyites overcome challenges
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Ft. Bend Happenings
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The Ft. Bend site has been the recipient of a $1,000.00 grant from the Fort Bend Exchange Club. Volunteer Stephanie Tamborello suggested that SIRE apply for the grant and was responsible for setting up contact with the Exchange Club. Stephanie has been a volunteer with SIRE since 2008 and has almost 600 volunteer hours. She has donated several items to the Ft. Bend site including a water misting machine to help make the summer months more bearable. Outside of SIRE Stephanie has started a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization called G.R.O.W. (Grass Roots Organization for Women) dedicated to the on-going growth and development of women and communities in Fort Bend County. For more information please call 832-539-1626 or visit their website at www.growftbend.org.
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Volunteer Corner
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carrots4acause
Help earn money for SIRE and rewards for you!
The EQUUS Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life of horses,
promoting the use of horses to enrich the lives of those in need, and educating
the public about the horse's unique ability to empower, teach and heal. CHAMPIONS is the EQUUS Foundation's incentive-based equine service volunteer program that recognizes and rewards individuals and organizations on its carrots4acause network. As a High Hopes volunteer, you can earn Champion status and be entered in a drawing to win a $5,000 grant for High Hopes! All you have to do is log your volunteer hours on the Equus Foundation Carrots4aCause Champions
website. Once you have logged at least 24 hours you are automatically entered.
Student Champions will also be eligible to apply for an Equus Foundation Scholarship!
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| Mark Your Calendar! | |
NO CLASSES - Fourth of July
Wednesday, July 4th
Last Day of Summer Semester
Saturday, July 28th
Fall Orientation
Wednesday, August 8th, 6:00pm to 8:00pm, all sites
Fall Training
Saturday, August 11th, 7:00am to 12:00pm, all sites
First Day of Fall Semester
Saturday, August 18th
RideAThon
Saturday, October 13th
Details coming soon!
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Upcoming Events
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Volunteer Enrichment
Saturday, July 28th, 2pm - 4pm, Hockley Site
Responding To Emergencies From the Heat or Falling taught by Paul Level, Emergency Medical Technician
Heat related emergencies and falls from a horse
20th Annual Saddle Up For SIRE
RideAThon
SIRE's 20th Annual Saddle Up for SIRE RideAThon will be held on Saturday, October 13th, 2012. If you are interested in helping to plan this FUNdraiser, please contact Amy Lundblad at 832-603-1680. We have several openings for Committee Members. Please watch for details on how you can help make this a successful event!
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Smokin' For SIRE Charity Ride
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SIRE along with sponsors Henry Hudson's Pub, Minute Maid, Bullhorn BBQ and Trademark put on Smokin' for SIRE, a benefit motorcycle ride and Bar-B-Q on Saturday, June 23, 2012. Riders started with a staggered ride which originated at Crossroads Mancuso Harley Davidson and then proceeded to SIRE's Spring site. Riders were treated to refreshments and Board Member Andi Fry and Head Instructor Shayna Bolton gave a short presentation about the SIRE program. The ride then continued on to the SIRE Hockley site for a presentation by Head Instructor PJ Murray and Site Director Anthony Busacca. The last stop was Henry Hudson's Pub for a delicious BBQ meal prepared by the award-winning Bullhorn BBQ team, a silent auction and raffle. Thanks to everyone who helped make this event such a success!
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The Rider's Room
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Ft. Bend rider Laura Matteson came to SIRE after surviving a horrific highway collision which resulted in a brain injury and two months in a coma. Laura was first taken by ambulance to College Station. There surgeons performed an emergency Craniotomy. She was then flown by helicopter to the University of Texas Medical Branch. There she remained in a coma, in intensive care. Then came three months at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research at Memorial Herman in Houston. There were many who thought Laura would never walk again but by Christmas, Laura was back in Galveston, walking and undergoing outpatient treatment at The Transitional Learning Center. This May, the 26-year-old stepped up to receive the 2012 Aggie Spirit Award which recognizes outstanding courage and determination in the face of adversity. In December, she will
receive her bachelor's degree diploma, with honors, in maritime administration from Texas A&M University at Galveston.
Laura has been riding with SIRE since the Fall semester of 2009. She has ridden Bubba, Hootie, Max and Scarlet but claims Bubba is her favorite. Congratulations to Laura on her much deserved award!
Laura Matteson on Bubba with volunteers Connie Watson and Danny Rhine
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Hockley Happenings
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The Hockley classroom has a wonderful new addition. Amy Lundblad and Jenny Densing painted this beautiful mural to brighten things up. They gave it a personal touch by using Broadway as the model for the horse and Anthony's faithful companion Daisy as the dog.
Hockley hosted a Path International Registered Instructor On-Site Workshop Wednesday, May 30th through Friday, June 1st. A total of fifteen people participated including volunteers from all three SIRE locations and a participant that traveled from Puerto Rico. The workshop consisted of two and a half days of lecture, demonstration and hands on practice. Those going through the certification process were required to pass a riding test on Friday evening and a teaching test on Saturday. Another workshop is tentatively planned for February or March of 2013.
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Spring Barn Bits
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What do you do when your client loves to ride but her horse makes her eyes swell up and she can't breathe? Well, if you're Head Instructor Shayna Bolton you dress her horse up like something from The Avengers' movie. Rider Sarah Hosein started riding with SIRE in January of this year. Everyone quickly discovered that her asthma and allergies were not a good mix with horseback riding. In an effort to overcome this problem Shayna first wrapped her horse Bud's neck with a baby pad and vet wrap. She also had Sarah wear a surgical mask. The baby pad wouldn't stay in place and the mask was hot and uncomfortable for Sarah so the search was back on for a better solution. Shayna recalled seeing horses at various horseshows with their heads and necks zipped into a covering called Sleazy Sleepwear. Most people use them to keep their horses' manes and necks clean while in their stalls but Shayna saw a much more creative use. Sarah is now able to ride without a mask and can do stretches including touching Bud's neck without any health issues. Necessity truly is the mother of invention.
 Sarah and Bud
Spring's herd has grown once again. We are fostering Rocky, a potential horse for the Ft. Bend location. Rocky is a former polo pony who is looking to make a career change to therapy horse. He's very sweet and is trying hard to find his place in our herd. He seems to enjoy Chester's calm and quiet company over anyone else.
Rocky
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Summer Heat Tips
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As we move into the hottest part of our summer semester we want to remind everyone to protect themselves from the summer heat. The summer season poses a special hazard for those working outdoors. It is important to protect yourself from the dangerous combination of heat and humidity. If your body is not able to maintain a normal temperature, heat related illnesses can occur. Please be aware of your own warning signs and of those around you (riders, other volunteers, staff, & horses).
Heat Cramps: In many cases this occurs due to lack of water replenishment.
Heat Exhaustion: This occurs as a result of a combination of excessive heat and dehydration and could result in fainting or heat collapse. Warning signs and symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, thirst, and possibly giddiness.
Heat Stroke: The primary signs and symptoms include confusion, irrational behavior, loss of consciousness, convulsions, hot skin, an abnormally high body temperature and usually a lack of sweating. If a person shows signs of heat stroke, seek medical attention immediately by calling 911.
Remember to wear lightweight, light colored and loose fitting clothing. Drink lots of fluids and take breaks. The tack room has an air conditioner in it and so does our office. We have cold drinks and frozen wash clothes in coolers in the client area. If you are concerned that you or someone around you is experiencing a heat related illness please notify the instructor or SIRE representative in charge. Immediate action is imperative to avoid
an emergency situation. Let's keep
this a safe summer!
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