Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where do your students come from?
2. What types of students ride?
3. What days do you operate?
4. How do you keep the students on the horse?
5. How many volunteers help Main Stay?
6. Where do you get your horses?
7. How are you funded?
Q. Where do your students come from?
A. Our students come primarily from McHenry County but include Lake, Boone, & surrounding counties as well. While the majority of our students come to us as individuals, we also enjoy partnering with outside agencies. Doctors, therapists and educators frequently refer students to Main Stay.
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Q. What types of students ride?
A. Currently Main Stay works with a wide range of disabilities. Listed below are a few of the disabilities we see:
- Cerebral Palsy
- Downs Syndrome
- Stroke
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Congenital Birth Defects
- Muscular Dystrophy
- Autism
- Developmental Delays
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Amputees
- Hearing & Visual Disabilities
All riders must have a doctor's release & be evaluated by Main Stay's staff before entering the program. Main Stay reserves the right to decline any student that we feel would be outside our abilities to ride safely or who we believe riding is contraindicated.
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Q. What days do you operate?
A. Main Stay holds classes Monday through Friday evenings and most mornings Monday through Saturday. Classes are limited to semi-private or private sessions. Main Stay currently averages 70 students per week. Please call the office for more information and the most current schedule.
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Q. How do you keep the students on the horse?
A. Once a student is evaluated we may add up to 3 volunteers to assist each student. Volunteers will assist by leading the horse or by walking alongside the student on either side of them to enable the rider to sit astride the horse. Volunteers assist the student as much or as little as needed guided by the certified instructor.
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Q. How many volunteers help at Main Stay?
A. Up to 100 volunteers help in the arena with students on a regular or substitute basis. Many, many others help with work projects and fundraising efforts. Many of our volunteers have been active with Main Stay well over 10 years. Whether brand new to us or an old friend – we can’t operate without our dedicated volunteers. Please see the opportunities available that may interest you on the volunteer link
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Q. Where do you get your horses?
A. The majority of horses are donated to Main Stay. All horses must go through an intensive 30 to 60 day screening process. The horses that remain with the program have these common traits:
- Physically Sound
- Calm
- Smooth Gaits
- Well Trained or Easily Trained
- Like People
- Like to Work
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Q. How are you funded?
A. The majority of our program is funded through personal donations and our own fundraising efforts. We do not receive state or federal funding. Our students pay a small fee of $25.00 per lesson, which amounts to less than 15% of our budget. The true cost for all students is absorbed by the program through individual donations, grants and fundraising efforts. For those who cannot afford to pay the already low fee, Main Stay provides an even larger sponsorship. We are deeply grateful to the individuals and community groups who assist Main Stay with the necessary funding to make this program affordable and accessible to those who need it.
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