New Rider Enrollment
Breaking Barriers Fund

“I was so ignorant about the disabled until I had a disabled son myself and he is a gift to me. I understand what kind of people it takes to do the kind of program you offer and I am very grateful for the heart you and the other volunteers put into this.”

About the Sessions

Saturday Group Sessions

The group sessions on Saturdays emphasize the social connections between riders and volunteers, and the therapeutic connections between people, animals, and nature. There are three sessions every Saturday at 9 am, 11 am, and 1:30 pm. Twelve riders attend each session. Staff members and volunteers work together as a team to help riders through their session. Each rider is assigned volunteer helpers according to their needs.

Each group session begins with stretching and warm-up exercises in the covered arena. These activities are designed to relax the rider, and to encourage interaction between the rider and their horse and volunteer helpers. At the completion of the warm-ups and lesson, the group enjoys a trail ride. Going up and down hills, traversing creek beds, and watching out for tree limbs and wildlife challenges riders and volunteers to remain active and engaged with each other and the environment.

Weekday Individualized Sessions

There are weekly individualized sessions Monday through Wednesday. Eight 30-minute sessions are offered each day, with openings for two riders at each session. This creates a total of 48 openings for riders to participate in the individual sessions on a weekly basis. There are currently 40 riders participating in the individual sessions. After mounting their horse, each rider works one-on-one with a staff/volunteer team on specific exercises in the arena, followed by a trail ride.

Special Monthly Group Session

On the second Monday of the month, small groups of 6-12 adult riders from day programs and group homes, are able to come and participate in the horseback riding program. These groups often bring a lunch and make a day of their trip to the ranch after their ride, visiting with the horses and other ranch animals.