Special Equestrians, Warrington PA

Founded in 1982, Special Equestrians (SE) is therapeutic riding program whose mission is to “improve the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals with disabilities through the equine experience.” SE is a Premier Accredited PATH (Professional Assoc. of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International Center. With specially selected horses, 18 mostly part-time staff, more than 250 annual volunteers, indoor and outdoor arenas, a 24-station Sensory Trail, and climate-controlled classrooms and observation rooms, SE operates all through the year. Our instructors are certified by PATH Intl., and our physical and occupational therapists are fully licensed and have equine training through the American Hippotherapy Association. In 2018 SE scheduled more than 4,300 sessions for more than 375 different riders. Eighty percent of our participants are children.

Our programs use the powerful healing properties of riding and interacting with horses to help individuals develop new physical, emotional, cognitive, and social skills and reach higher levels of functioning. We work successfully with participants who meet criteria for more than 60 different disabling diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, brain injuries, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). In addition, we have group programs for children and youth at risk for school failure; children and young adults enrolled in Autism intensive support classrooms and day programs; women and girls recovering from domestic trauma and personal health challenges; seniors with age-related disabilities; children whose lives are affected by cancer; women recovering from breast-cancer treatment; and children in residential foster care.

SE’s equine-assisted learning programs for groups of youth and adults target cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges that create communication, self-regulation, or other obstacles to success in school, work, and social interactions. We collaborate with alternative school and community agency staff to set individual goals and assess progress of each participant. These programs have proven effective adjunctive activities for helping students increase attendance and improve academic and/or job performance.