Our PATH International-certified instructors provide equine-assisted services that support individuals with disabilities, challenges, and diverse needs through safe, engaging, and therapeutic experiences with horses.
Pegasus lessons generally are offered on a weekly basis in 45-minute blocks and are staffed by our PATH International-certified instructors. To be considered for one of our programs, prospective participants must be at least four years of age and within our height and weight limits. The admissions process begins with a phone call or email to us to discuss whether equine-assisted activities may be beneficial.
Therapeutic riding’s unique benefits are derived from the transfer of movement from horse to rider.
Lessons include instruction in basic riding skills as well as opportunities for social interaction, recreation, sport, therapy, and work with basic developmental concepts. Activities exercise both “mind and muscle” and can produce improved mobility, balance, posture, coordination, language development, behavior control, and concentration.
The emotional benefits of therapeutic riding are abundant and diverse. The primary benefit comes from the relationships that develop among riders, volunteers, horses and staff. Pegasus fosters a supportive environment that helps riders to confront their fears and anxieties and build their self-esteem.
“Pegasus has provided an opportunity to suit activities to perfectly match Scarlett’s present skills while still challenging her just enough to grow and develop. As a result, she never senses disappointment, but instead, confidence in the skills and learning she HAS accomplished.”
Therapeutic Horsemanship offers powerful, life-changing benefits using experiential learning. It integrates equine-human interaction while providing opportunities to teach critical life skills such as trust, respect, honesty, and communication. Each participant works toward progressing in their session goals using our team approach (horses, instructor teams, and volunteers).
Participants are working on building relationships with their horse through groundwork.
These activities include but are not limited to spending quiet time bonding with the horse, grooming, and leading. Through these seemingly simple horsemanship activities, participants have a chance to develop new skills in a safe, supportive environment. All the horsemanship skills introduced in this program are transferrable life skills with potentially powerful, life-changing outcomes.
“Everywhere else is so stressful. Everyone always wants to know how I’m doing. At Pegasus, I can forget about everything and just connect with the horses. It just makes me feel so calm. I love it.”
This program combines basic horsemanship techniques taught in our standard therapeutic horsemanship program and adds additional focus on the restorative power of horses. Throughout these five weeks, participants will discover the importance of being present and mindful. Horses can serve as a mirror to our emotions, reacting to participants’ emotions, and helping develop skills such as boundary setting, mindfulness, and awareness of nonverbal communication.
Each session is five weeks long.
Our focus in this 5-session program is on helping veterans and first responders rebuild healthy relationships. Our horses and facilitators will respect and skillfully support you and your journey. Activities are non-riding. No horse experience is necessary.
“I learned how to handle stress and to help anger management issues I have. I learned the way of the horse. It’s changed my life, there’s no doubt about it.”
Equine-Assisted Wellness offers powerful, experiential benefits through ground-based horsemanship activities that support social-emotional health, resilience, and personal growth in a supportive, non-clinical environment.
Participants engage in meaningful activities with their horse through groundwork. These activities include but are not limited to spending intentional quiet time bonding with the horse, grooming, and leading. Through these seemingly simple horsemanship activities, participants develop emotional awareness, coping skills, confidence, and other transferrable life skills with potentially powerful, life-changing outcomes.
This program may benefit individuals experiencing cancer diagnosis or recovery, disordered eating, anxiety, depression, chronic stress, grief and loss, trauma, life transitions, and caregiver fatigue or burnout.
“You learn a little about horses that you never thought of and a lot about yourself. You develop a mindfulness that is relatable to your personal life.”
If our programs seem like they would be a good fit, the prospective participant (or the parents or legal guardians) is asked to complete the required application form and return it to Pegasus. We request biographical information, medical history, and the participant’s goals and objectives.
Upon receipt of the completed application, staff members will assess the information to determine eligibility. If the prospective participant is eligible, we will schedule a riding evaluation. Once the evaluation is successfully completed, we will begin looking for an open slot in our program schedule.
Equine Experience Days provide horse-focused experiential learning to the special needs population. The therapeutic benefit of horses has been widely recognized. It is our goal to offer holistic, empowering and enriching activities all centered around the restorative power of horses with complementary horse-focused activities including gardening/nature, art and music. Team building, self-esteem, self-confidence, and empowerment are meaningful benefits of this holistic approach to our equine experience days.
