WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

Our therapeutic riding program provides services to adults and children with disabilities. Riders must be at least four (4) years of age to participate.

 

PROGRAM GOALS

· To provide individuals with disabilities an opportunity to participate in a horseback riding program.

· To improve physical condition of participants through increased muscle strength, relaxation, mobility, balance, and coordination.

· To improve the quality of life of participants through increased awareness, body image and self-confidence.

· To increase socialization and interpersonal relationships with people and horses while providing an enjoyable recreation experience.

· To enhance individual riding skills to the best of a person’s abilities.

 

AVAILABLE THERAPEUTIC PROGRAMS

SPUR Private Lessons

Children and adults with disabilities can find a safe haven where their limitations are replaced by the freedom of riding a horse. Participants begin with a leader and sidewalker in addition to the instructor. The focus of these lessons is on horsemanship, riding skills, and recreation.

 

Advanced Riders and Independent Equestrians of SPUR (ARIES)

The ARIES program is designed to benefit  students, ages five to eighteen, whose main goal is independent riding. SPUR students enter into the ARIES program by instructor recommendation after completing a minimum of one

8-week session of private SPUR lessons. For more information about the ARIES program, please click here.

 

SPUR Horses for Heroes

SPUR Horses for Heroes offers equine activities to active duty or reserve military members and veterans with disabilities. The program works with a wide range of special needs, including but not limited to, amputations (both upper and lower limbs), paraplegia, traumatic brain injury, visual impairments and post traumatic stress disorder. For more information about the SPUR Horses for Heroes program, please click here.

 

Therapeutic Movement Experience

The Therapeutic Movement Experience is designed to give students who are multiply disabled the opportunity to  participate in horseback riding. Focusing on the therapeutic effects of the horse and its movement, each session is tailored to the participant’s abilities and personal goals.  The Therapeutic Movement Experience is ideal for school groups and is booked by request.

 

Silver SPURs

Whether you are riding for the first time or want to brush up on your riding skills this class is designed with the senior in mind. A PATH International certified therapeutic riding instructor will teach riding and horse handling skills with a focus on safety, balance, and strength. Each class will be tailored to the goals and abilities of the participants. Mounting blocks of varying sizes are available to get on and off the horse. Limit 5 riders per class.

 

ARE THERE PROGRAMS FOR THE NON-DISABLED AT SUNNYSIDE EQUESTRIAN CENTER?

Yes! A limited number of opportunities are available.

· Adult and Youth Horseback Riding Programs

· Equestrian Experience

· Disability Awareness

· Equine Exploration

 

For more information on these programs please click here.

 

WHEN ARE LESSONS HELD?

SPUR hosts four sessions from January through November. Each session is eight weeks in length. Participants ride once a week for the duration of the session. 

 

For our calendar of events, click here. Lessons are generally given between the hours of 9 AM and 7 PM, Monday through Saturday.

 

WHERE ARE LESSONS HELD?

Lessons are held at Sunnyside Equestrian Center

628 Middletown-Lincroft Road

Middletown, NJ  07748

 

HOW MUCH DO LESSONS COST?

One eight-week session of lessons costs $330.

 

APPLICATIONS AND SCHEDULING

Applications may be downloaded at any time. If you prefer an application to be mailed to you, please call 732-224-1367. The application will include a medical form to be completed and signed by the student’s physician. Applications received without the medical form will not be accepted.

 

Upon acceptance of his or her application, a new student is eligible to ride in the next available session. Scheduling for each session is done on a first come first served basis.

 

Only students whose applications and medicals are up to date will receive an availability form to participate in the upcoming session.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

The SPUR Board of Directors grants need based scholarships each session.  Students in need of financial assistance to participate may request a scholarship application at any time  by calling 732-224-1367.

Program Information