How is equine therapy riding different from recreational riding?
A: Equine therapy differs from recreational riding in that each riding lesson is tailored to each participant’s needs based on the diagnosed medical condition and/or disability.
Does it take special horses, special instructors and special training?
A: Yes, each of our horses are carefully selected based on temperament, build, and gait, as well as specially trained in order to accommodate our riders needs during a lesson.
Are your instructors trained and/or certified?
A: Our instructors are specially trained and certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH); are First Aid and CPR certified; as well as continue to receive continuing education each year to maintain their PATH Instructor status.
Who can become a rider?
A: You can become a rider if you have a diagnosed medical condition and/or disability which can safely benefit from horseback riding. Our participants must all have approval from their physician prior to their first lesson.
How can someone become a rider?
A: To become a rider, you may simply fill out our rider application and medical release, located on our website. Then send completed forms to our mailing address and a SDTR representative will contact you about the next step.
What do volunteers do?
A: Volunteers can assist with lessons as either a Sidewalker or Horse Leader; help provide horse care; assist with maintenance of the facility; fundraise; or do administrative work. SDTR provides training for all of these roles.
How can someone become a volunteer?
A: First, fill out our volunteer application and send it in. Once your application is received, we will be in touch to schedule your first Open House and training session.
Do you offer rides by the hour for special occasions (birthdays, etc)?
A: We do not. Our lesson horses are specially reserved for our amazing participants. This way we can focus on our mission of serving individuals with special needs in our community.
Do you offer trail rides or beach rides?
A: We do not. Our lesson horses are specially reserved for our amazing participants. This way we can focus on our mission of serving individuals with special needs in our community.
What are your hours of operation?
A: Lessons and visits by interested parties are by appointment only.
What is your weather cancellation policy for Lessons?
A: In order to ensure the safety of our horses, riders, and volunteers; riding lessons will be cancelled due to the following weather-related situations:
• Temperatures exceeding a heat index of 95 degrees.
• Temperatures below 32 degrees, including wind chill.
• Cancellations due to snow will be made on a case by case basis.
• Any audible/visible signs of thunder and lightening.
* It is the policy of PATH Intl., that If a thunder storm occurs in the midst of a lesson, all lesson activity must be stopped, riders must dismount, and horses are to be stalled. The instructor will decide to either wait for the storm to pass, or reschedule.
**As you know, temperatures can fluctuate throughout any given day. That being said, it is possible that lessons scheduled for one part of the day would still occur, while lessons during another part of the day would not. Although it is ultimately the instructors responsibility to inform their riders and volunteers of weather-related cancellations, SDTR encourages you to check www.noaa.org prior to any of your scheduled lessons.