SERT Programs

“I didn’t know horses had a job.” - a 4th grader at SERT

Therapeutic Riding Sessions: SERT strives to make every student’s time here special. That means providing the most favorable atmosphere for a rider’s positive experience. At the same time, we build on gains made in previous sessions.

For that reason, every rider has one-to-one personalized sessions with the same NARHA-certified instructor and rides the same horse during each visit. This consistency insures unequaled comfort for children and creates the most positive learning environment.

Most riders are children who come once a week for an affordable monthly tuition. Though the minimum age is generally four years, SERT strictly adheres to NAHRA guidelines. Qualified personnel determine who is eligible and will best be served by the program. Adults and “typical” children can be accommodated as well.

SERT’s horses are trained to work with riders with special needs . Because many riders have difficulty with balance, members of the herd learn to move in a way that compensates for uneven weight distribution. A special access ramp and volunteer assistance make for ease of mounting and dismounting.

• English and Western tack are available.

• Trail riding sessions are part of SERT’s overall therapeutic riding program.

• Educational enrichment includes special games and exercises introduced into riders’ programs as deemed suitable by each rider’s personal NARHA-certified instructor.

• Ground Lessons include the proper grooming and care of horses. This may be included in a child’s program if requested by the student’s family, and training is appropriate for the individual. Ground lessons are also taught to typical individuals of all ages in a variety of SERT programs.

• Siblings at SERT: Sometimes a typical brother or sister doesn’t want to be left out of all the fun! For that reason, SERT has a program that enables a sibling to saddle up at the same time.

SERT’s trained volunteers are an important part of each lesson. “Side walkers” and “front walkers” assist our instructors.

Volunteers have the attention of the horse. They make sure the animal does what it’s supposed to be doing. Student and instructor can devote complete attention to each other.

Sometimes, additional volunteers observe the entire scene. In keeping with SERT’s policy of providing a consistent experience for every rider, every time, volunteers form part of a complete team - along with rider, instructor, and horse.