Introduction
Since 1986, our goal at HOPE has been to empower children and adults facing special challenges – whether physical, cognitive or emotional - to discover their abilities, independent skills and explore their potential through use of our nationally accredited safe and effective equine-assisted activities and therapy (EAAT). Our special equine friends and specially trained instructors and volunteer helpers offer a way for people to improve their lives in many ways and have lots of fun at the same time! Please follow the links on this site to learn more about equine-assisted activities in general and HOPE in particular.
Therapeutic Horseback Riding
Therapeutic horseback riding is recognized throughout the U.S. and other countries as a valuable activity to improve the lives of people with disabilities, or, as we prefer to say, people facing special challenges. Almost 800 therapeutic riding centers in the U.S. and Canada are members of PATH International, an organization dedicated to promoting the benefits of equine-assisted activities and therapy. Other centers are located in many other countries. HOPE has been offering EAAT lessons since 1986. Click here to learn more...
Meet Our Horses
HOPE’s equine friends are obviously central to our program. Horses have the ability to positively affect the lives of so many people. Horses are large and powerful, but can feel what we feel, understand us, and willingly participate in our pleasures. It seems miraculous how horses respond to people with such gentleness and dependability. They interact with each rider differently as the rider communicates his or her requirements to the horse, and they are able to adapt their behavior to the particular rider and situation. HOPE horses are truly special. Click here to learn more...
Our Lessons
HOPE offers lessons conducted by PATH International certified instructors who encourage students to progress as far as they safely can. Because each lesson is specifically designed to enhance each student’s ABILITIES rather than disabilities, each student is better able to reach his or her own goals. Although we do offer private lessons as needed, most students benefit from the social interactions and peer modeling they experience in group lessons. Students start as young as age four and there is NO MAXIMUM age limit! Scholarships are available for those meeting financial criteria.
Upcoming Events (Calendar)
Each year HOPE hosts events of interest to students, volunteers, donors and the general public. Most events are planned at HOPE’s annual Board of Directors retreat in the Fall of each year. At that time, we set the calendar for the upcoming year, which includes lesson dates, new student assessment dates and volunteer training dates. The calendar also includes dates for fundraising and informational events, continuing education conferences, horse shows and parties. We will be constantly updating this link to let you plan your participation in HOPE! Click here to view our online calendar of events...
News
We like to keep our students, volunteers, donors and the community up to date on our activities and news of program offerings, student successes, volunteer contributions, donations and in general everything that is happening at HOPE. We want everyone who could benefit from therapeutic riding to learn about HOPE! If you have ideas about how to get our news out, please let us know.