Dennenhof vzw is an equestrian therapeutic center for adults and children with and without disabilities. The team of therapists, assisted by instructors and volunteers (with and without disabilities), offers inclusion lessons, hippotherapy, adapted riding and horse camps for every rider with or without disabilities, provided there are no medical contraindications. They stand for meeting and integration both on and off the horse, within a respectful setting. The riding school has 13 therapy horses and 2 cuddly ponies, all of which can be used for disabled and able-bodied activities.
Everything started in 1973 when a number of rhetoric students donated a horse to the MPI (now MFC) Ten Dries, a facility for children with motor disabilities in the heart of Landegem. Three more horses soon followed. The Ronde Tafel van Ghent, and later the Lions Club Ghent, helped to create a fully-fledged infrastructure for the non-profit organization Manege Dennenhof, such as the construction of a covered riding track and stables, a saddle room, an outdoor arena, a meeting room and a parking lot. . All this thanks to these supportive service clubs and a financial contribution from the province of East Flanders and the Sinterklaas Fund.
The most important activity of the non-profit organization is outpatient hippotherapy: using the horse or pony as a medium to pursue therapeutic objectives. The horse's unique rhythmic movements allow children with motor disabilities to relax better, develop their balance and coordination and gain strength in the trunk muscles, allowing them to experience a more symmetrical posture. The horse is an integral part of a treatment process with the aim of improving physically, psychologically, emotionally and cognitively.
For some riders with disabilities, hippotherapy can be interpreted as 'adapted horse riding'. So it is intended as a leisure activity or as a sport.
All therapy horses of the non-profit organization also work during the inclusion lessons.
“We provide 70% hippotherapy to residents of healthcare institutions, 20% outpatient work and 10% inclusion work.”
The non-profit organization Manege Dennenhof also organizes camps for independent riders from the age of 8 from regular education or riders with learning disabilities and better motor skills. Hippo camps with 1-on-1 guidance are available for children with multiple disabilities. As a full-fledged riding school, both the outdoor arena and the covered indoor arena can be rented by groups or individual riders, but with their own horse and by appointment.
Kim, Orphee and Laurens are the permanent employees of the non-profit organization. It is a full-time challenge to keep the riding school running. Fortunately, they can count on the help of volunteers. If you feel interested in joining the team of supervised workers, volunteers and interns, please contact the riding school. You can also offer the non-profit organization financial help. It owes its existence and operation to its sponsors. The organization does not receive any government subsidies. For more information:
Non-profit organization Dennenhof Manege
Dennendreef 94
9850 Landegem (Deinze)
09 371 94 47
info@manegedennenhof.be
www.manegedennenhof.be
