High Hurdles Overview
The High Hurdles Therapeutic Riding Program was developed in 1997 by a committee of parents, educators and professionals
who were interested in providing a therapeutic riding experience for children with developmental disabilities. The program
has expanded over the years and currently serves over 200 riders from three to eighty-three years of age. Today, High Hurdles offers
cognitively, emotionally and physically challenged individuals a unique opportunity for growth and development. Instructors,
students, horses and volunteers all work together to achieve challenging yet attainable horsemanship goals. Learning to care
for and about horses while mastering riding skills is what High Hurdles is all about.
Therapeutic horsemanship utilizes the experience of learning to care for and about horses to enhance one’s sensory, physical,
cognitive, emotional and social development. Horse related activities are used to maximize abilities while minimizing
disabilities. The knowledgeable therapeutic riding instructor takes into consideration the strengths and weaknesses of each
participant and develops individualized lesson plans in order to achieve
challenging, therapeutic and FUN classes.
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High Hurdles Entrance
Sardinia, NY
For information on how to contact
SASi High Hurdles, please click
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For information on our High Hurdles
Horses, please click
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High Hurdles Tack Room
Mission Statement
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Reason/Purpose for being:
The mission of the High Hurdles Therapeutic Riding Program is to provide a unique opportunity for growth, development and other
positive changes for individuals with special needs and to foster the community’s awareness, appreciation, participation and donor
involvement through the horse/human bond.
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What we are doing to address these needs:
Through learning to care for horses, mastering riding skills, and other horse related activities, therapeutic horsemanship
enables individuals to improve skills or areas such as posture, balance and stamina, increase body and environmental awareness,
improve concentration and problem solving skills, improve speech and enhance self-esteem and social confidence.
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The principles or beliefs that guide our work:
We believe that therapeutic riding and horsemanship enhances an individual’s ability to reach their highest potential.
Benefits of Therapeutic Riding
Watching a therapeutic horsemanship class in action, you might think it is nothing more than a fancy pony ride.
Most of the riders, while sitting astride their horse, are accompanied by side walkers and are led by a volunteer.
There is laughter, singing and games like Simon Says or basketball. How can this be therapeutic?
Therapeutic horsemanship lessons can impact the rider in the following ways:
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Sensory Awareness – The barn setting may be an entirely new environment for the individual.
The sights and smells of the barn, the sensation of being astride and feeling the horse’s motion are just some of the
experiences that provide the optimal sensory experience.
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Physical Development – Understanding the implications of the diagnoses of each student is imperative as is the ability
to develop lessons that maximize physical development. The motion of the horse at a walk moves the rider’s pelvis in almost the same
manner as it moves during a “normal human walk”, thus contributing to improved posture and gait. A mount should be selected to suit the
rider’s physical needs. Some require a wide, “bouncy” gaited horse while others may benefit from a narrow, smooth-strided mount.
Strength, endurance and flexibility are increased through barn management and grooming as well as through riding.
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Cognitive Development – Therapeutic riding provides an ideal setting for cognitive development. Directionality, sequencing,
increased vocabulary, problem solving and increased attention span are just a few of the areas that can be addressed through the
pleasurable pursuit of horsemanship.
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Emotional Growth – Learning new skills and overcoming obstacles through a series of successes builds self-esteem.
The horse is an excellent teacher of natural consequences as it responds to the rider’s cues without judgment. Above all, the horse offers
unconditional affection and is a very large, accepting shoulder to cry on.
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Social Development – Utilizing a “team” approach of riders, mounts, volunteers and instructor, the therapeutic riding lesson encourages bonds of friendship and mutual respect. An appropriate competitive spirit is fostered through lesson games and involvement in organized events like Special Olympics and open competition. Win or lose, the “team” shares the struggles as well as the victories.