Sunnyside Equestrian Center Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program

The Sunnyside Equestrian Center Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program offers therapeutic horseback riding and horseback riding lessons. Participants may also volunteer to assist with lessons and to assist with care of the horses. More than a dozen carefully chosen and specially trained horses, many of which have been donated, participate in the program.

• Ages: 14–18 years old
• Schedule: Meeting for 30 minutes each week

This program is dedicated to helping people with physical and cognitive disabilities achieve their personal goals through horseback riding. It provides fundamental equestrian experiences for people of all abilities, with an emphasis on offering the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding to individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities. Students work to improve balance, muscle tone, posture and more through horseback riding, and the experience of riding a horse provides physical, emotional and psychological stimuli. Special People United to Ride (SPUR), established in 1981, partners with the Park System to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to participate in this therapeutic riding program and offers financial support for these efforts. The therapeutic horseback riding program benefits from the assistance of over 100 volunteers each year, who assist with lessons and care of the horses, and volunteers are at least 14 years of age and have completed a volunteer training workshop.

Last updated July 9, 2026.