🐎 Adaptive Riding & Horsemanship
Empowering Growth Through Equine Connection
Saving Grace Farm offers Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship Lessons for children and adults with special needs. Whether working in the saddle or on the ground, participants benefit from a supportive environment that fosters confidence, independence, and joy.
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🌟 Who This Program Serves
Our Adaptive Riding program is ideal for individuals with:

• Developmental delays or different abilities
• Learning or attention challenges
• Emotional or behavioral needs
• Low self-esteem or anxiety
• Diagnosed conditions requiring therapeutic support

Lessons are taught by a trained Therapeutic Riding Instructor and may include both mounted and unmounted activities.

🧠 Benefits of Equine-Assisted Activities
Whether riding or working on the ground, participants often experience:

• Improved balance, coordination, and core strength
• Enhanced communication and social skills
• Increased self-awareness, self-control, and emotional regulation
• Boosted confidence, independence, and empathy
• Sensory stimulation and calming effects
• Educational enrichment and motor skill development

🐴 Program Details

• Integrated Lessons: Participants may be grouped with standard lesson students to encourage socialization and progression
• Ground & Riding Options: Both formats are available based on individual needs and goals
• Weight Limits: For safety and horse welfare, our weight limits for mounted lessons are 160 lbs. unsupported and 140 lbs. supported; eligibility is determined by staff based on horse and staffing availability, requires verified weight on our Physician’s Form. Riders over 100 lbs may be weighed at evaluation and periodically throughout the year. (Unsupported means there are no balance or safety issues that require support staff with the rider. Support is determined based on evaluation by Saving Grace Farm staff.)
• Lesson Duration:
  • Private: ~30 minutes (ground/mounted)
  • Group:  ~55 minutes (includes grooming/tacking)
• Lesson Frequency: Weekly, in 6-week series
• Cost:

• Adaptive/Mounted Lessons: $50/lesson - lessons based on horsemanship, typically mounted but may include occasional ground lessons
• Ground Lessons for Life: $40/lesson - ground based lessons with horses based on life skills and horsemanship
• Scholarships available—please inquire!

💡 The actual cost to provide these services is approx. $130/hour. As a nonprofit, we fundraise to reduce fees for every family. If you need additional assistance with tuition please contact us.

📝 Application Process

1. Complete the Online Application
2. Download & Submit Physician’s Forms (must be signed by a doctor)
3. Submit All Required Documents (Application and Physician Form)
4. Phone Interview to gather more info and answer questions
5. Schedule Evaluation/Tour (after all documents are received and we have spoken to you via phone to gather details/goals)
6. Post-Evaluation: We’ll contact you with program recommendations and scheduling

2026 Season Schedule

Adaptive Riding & Horsemanship Series

Session	Dates	Makeup Week
Spring I	March 2 – April 11	April 13 – 18
Spring II	April 27 – June 6	June 8 – 13
Summer	June 25 – August 1	August 3 – 8
Fall I	August 17 – September 26	September 28 – October 3
Fall II	October 12 – November 21	November 30 – December 5

​🐾 Note: No dogs allowed on premises for rider safety.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Can we try one lesson?
We do not offer one-time rides due to insurance. However, evaluations may include mounted activities if needed.
What if we miss a lesson?
One pre-planned absence per series is allowed. Makeups or credits may be offered for weather or advance notice absences prior to series start date.  Student absence during the series will result in no credit/makeup unless authorized by the director. Your spot is a reservation.
What if the weather is bad?
We offer ground lessons when riding isn’t safe. If ground lessons are not possible, we’ll reschedule or credit the session.
Do we need our own helmet?
It’s ideal, but we have helmets available for use if you do not wish to buy your own. We do recommend letting us fit you to one of ours before purchasing one of your own. Different brands are different shapes.
What should riders wear?

• Shoes: Closed-toe, secure shoes (boots preferred; no Crocs/sandals)
• Clothing: Long pants and weather-appropriate attire. Gloves recommended in winter.

🤝 Additional Support
Parenting Help While You Wait
Through our partnership with Partners in Learning, you can receive parenting tips during your child’s session. If you’re facing tantrums, power struggles, or just need new tools, consider signing up for their Positive Parenting Program.

📞 Questions? Ready to Apply?
Call us at 704-209-6577 for further questions or complete the Application above to get started.
We’re here to help your family grow, one stride at a time.