Saddle Up Riding Club is a member center of the NARHA, which provides structured horseback riding sessions to children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. Our instructors are nationally certified in therapeutic riding through NARHA and our volunteers and horses have been carefully selected and trained for their roles.

Vision: Saddle Up Riding Club, Inc. therapeutic equestrian center provides the highest quality therapeutic horseback riding and related activities to all those who can benefit.

Mission: The mission of Saddle Up Riding Club, Inc. is to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding and related activities.

What programs are available at Saddle Up Riding Club?

Therapeutic Riding Classes:
Classes are held on Saturdays and run from a half hour to forty-five minutes. Classes take place in an environment that emphasizes ability, not disability. Therapeutic riding lessons may be private or a group of 5 or less. All potential participants undergo a comprehensive in-take process that includes completion of registration forms, which includes a physician’s release form and attending an evaluation. Horses and students are matched to compliment both personality and ability. For more information, visit our riders page.

Hippotherapy:
Our Hippotherapy program is run by a state licensed physical or occupational therapist, who incorporates the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy.

Special Equestrian Barn Time:
A version of our riding club's barn time, but for individuals with special needs. Particpants learn to care for and ride horses during each session which is offered once a month in a special group setting. From beginners to experienced riders, the riding and horse care session will provide participants with an opportunity to ride horses, share time with fellow riders, learn and participate in horse care and spend time outdoors. All participants are required to fill out and return all paperwork including a physician's release before they participate in the evening event. Event fee is $30.00 per participant. Please email Melissa, Therapeutic Riding Program Director, with any questions and to RSVP for the event at mkasper@saddleupridingclub.org.

Classes will be held the once a month from 5:30 - 7:30pm (Date will be listed on calendar). Check the calendar for any updates.

Saddle Up for Heroes:
A program that helps wounded veterans through equine assisted activities. This program is unique as it uses volunteer veterans as sidewalkers to aid in the emotional trauma that riders may be experiencing. Working with horses helps with the adjustments and depression that many US soldiers deal with after going through these traumatic experiences. Family group riding sessions are also available.

Volunteer Program:
Saddle Up Therapeutic Riding Program’s dedicated volunteer team is the core of our organization. Volunteers are a minimum of fourteen years of age and must attend mandatory orientation training prior to assisting with program activities. Volunteers assist with all of Saddle Up Therapeutic Riding Program daily operations such as administrative tasks, fundraising activities, facility maintenance, horse care, and riding class assistance. For more information, visit our volunteers page.

Special Olympics and Competition Training:
Saddle Up Riding Club Therapeutic Riding Program offers riders with disabilities who would like to compete in equestrian competitions the opportunity for competition training and show experience. Also available for riders’ age 8 years and older with a cognitive disability is the opportunity to participate in Special Olympics Equestrian Events. For more information please contact the Program Director at mkasper@saddleupridingclub.org