About SDTR lessons
SDTR equine-assisted therapy consists of 30-60 minute lessons of one-on-one instruction with a PATH-certified riding instructor. Instructors create a safe and supportive atmosphere and make lessons fun and interesting for everyone. Trained volunteers assist during the lessons.
Each participant receives lessons tailored to his or her goals and progress.
Instructors focus on improving balance, flexibility and strength, and increasing confidence and concentration. The achievements of SDTR participants are tangible and life changing.
Other participants work with the instructor and therapy horse on the ground, learning about horse anatomy and behavior, caring for and working around these large animals, and handling the equipment used for grooming and riding.
To enroll with SDTR:
Thank you so much for your interest in SDTR! To find out more please fill out the interest form.
- Step One: Fill out our inquiry form. We will contact you when we have openings for an evaluation ride.
- Step Two: Evaluation will be set up (this will usually entail riding) and the Physician's Statement & Application will be sent to you.
- Step Three: The Physian's Statement & Rider Application must be completed before the evaluation ride.
- Step Three: Participant will be assigned a schedule.
2024 Session Dates
| 2024 Session | Start Date | End Date | No Lessons | Special Dates | # of Weeks |
| Session 1 | 1/8 | 3/30 | 11 | ||
| Week Off | 3/31 | 4/7 | |||
| Session 2 | 4/8 | 6/29 | No Lessons on 5/3-5/4 & 5/25-5/27 | 5/25-5/27 Memorial Day | 12 |
| Week Off | 6/30 | 7/7 | |||
| Session 3 | 7/8 | 8/24 | 7 | ||
| Week Off | 8/25 | 9/1 | |||
| Operation SEAs the Day | 9/2 | 9/8 | No other lessons | 1 | |
| Session 4 | 9/9 | 10/12 | 5 | ||
| Week Off | 10/14 | 10/20 | Barn Dance Week | Barn Dance 10/19 | |
| Session 5 | 10/21 | 12/21 | No Lessons Thanksgiving Weekend 11/28-12/1 |
Thanksgiving 11/28-12/1 |
9
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weather cancellations
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.
