Learning with Horses at Bina Farm Center

There are times when the bond between a person and an animal surpasses all others. The staff at Bina Farm Center (BFC), located at 207 Union St., know the transformative power of these relationships. At Bina, horses play a vital role in their comprehensive therapeutic work to assist people with developmental, physical and emotional challenges.
Cooperation on the Farm
When couple Coryn and Babak Bina enrolled their son in horse-riding lessons, it sparked an idea. The couple worked with their son’s instructor, Terry Snow, to create a center to enrich the lives of people with disabilities with a more holistic approach.
“Terry, Coryn and Babak brought an inclusive program to the community, where not only students with special needs could ride, but their siblings, parents or friends could ride with them,” Liz Wilsker, Bins’s executive administrator and volunteer coordinator said.
The welcoming atmosphere at BFC fosters equality and respect for all those involved (animals included), which in turn provides a safe space for clients with disabilities to learn and grow alongside their equine companions.
Equine Therapy
BFC offers a wide variety of programs and therapies, both with and without animal involvement, but Wilsker has witnessed the positive influence horses can have on the educational experience.
“There is less resistance to learning when animals are involved,” Wilsker explained. “Horses are not interested in how you look, only that you are kind and fair. They provide constant and immediate feedback, which is nonjudgmental.”
Though plenty of clients ride horses as a part of their sessions, unmounted activities can be equally beneficial. Grooming, tacking and other equine maintenance provides opportunities to practice motor, visual and social skills in an enjoyable way.
Riding with Ease
For a five-year-old BFC client who came to the facility with severe social anxiety, horse-assisted therapy helped guide her seamlessly towards self-confidence and openness to others.
“At her first lesson, she was hiding behind her mother and refused to meet the instructor and volunteers; however, she did want to meet the horse,” Wilsker said. Over the next few weeks, the client became so comfortable at the center that it would have been impossible to tell how nervous she had been on her first day.
“One day, while she was riding, she said to her mother, ‘You know, it’s a lot easier to ride a horse than it is to meet new people,’” Wilsker recalled. “The instructor and the rider then counted all the people that she had met because of riding, including the instructors, staff and other riders.”
Getting to know nearly 20 people was a major accomplishment. “The rider felt so proud of herself that she was able to successfully meet and interact with so many new people,” Wilsker said.
Ways to Get Involved
With three program locations in Natick, Wellesley and Lexington, BFC has room to grow their team. They are currently seeking staff and volunteers, including instructor and administrative positions and barn workers. Anyone interested in getting involved can call the Natick office at 508-651-2462.
For those who are interested in supporting BFC, the nonprofit will be hosting their annual Horsing Around at the Ritz Gala, which is their largest fundraising event of the year. It will take place at the Ritz-Carlton on the Boston Common on Saturday, Oct. 22. Email [email protected] for more information.
To learn more about BFC, visit www.binafarm.org.