TROT, the therapeutic horseback riding program at FENCE, has opened enrollment for its spring 2010 classes, which will begin in mid-March and continue through late May.

The program, which operates in two, ten-week lesson blocks each spring and fall, is marking its sixth year of operation.

TROTs students come from Polk, Rutherford, Hendersonville, Spartanburg and Greenville counties. The program is also seeking volunteers to help staff lessons and will be scheduling a volunteer training session in late winter.

The benefits of therapeutic riding have long been recognized for adults and children with physical and/or developmental difficulties, and as a rehabilitative physical therapy for certain post-surgical patients.

TROTs weekly classes are taught by instructors certified by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), and the program itself is recognized by NARHA as one of its Premier Accredited teaching centers.

The minimum age for potential students is four; there is no upper age limit, and adults are encouraged to apply. There is a modest lesson fee.

Further information on enrolling and for volunteering, as well as application materials, can be found at www.fence.org/trot.

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