SERT - News about therapeutic riding programs.

SIGN UP NOW!

Riding and Horse
Care classes*

Summer sessions
July 6-31
August 3-28

Complete the inquiry form or call Connie Gilly to schedule a fun visit to meet SERT’s famous horses and certified instructors:
(805) 523-1244 or
(818) 776-6476.

We’d love to see you!

(*) All classes are individual and are scheduled to accommodate busy families. Sessions are once a week
for four weeks, and
each rider will have the
same horse throughout
their stay at SERT.

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 RIDING 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: 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.

• ADULT COURSE - Introduction to horse and stable care: A therapeutic activity for adults and teens with special needs.

Print Flyer

• MY PONY AND ME: A delightful non-riding program for typical 2-4-year-old children and children with special needs.

Toddlers can become acquainted one-on-one with the amazing world of horses. The program is also available for four-year-olds who are eligible to ride but are not yet ready to get on a horse.

Safety is our first concern. Each child will be assigned an instructor, a team of assistants and of course, a pony.

Children will be introduced to:
1) Parts of the pony - up close and personal time to become familiar with the parts of the pony.

2) Let’s spruce up our pony. We use a special grooming box containing grooming tools made to fit smaller hands.

3) Let’s have some fun - Activities and games with the pony to encourage color, letter, and number recognition.

4) Sing along - Sing songs to and with the pony.

5) Let’s take a walk - We take a little stroll with our pony by our side, accommodating children with various levels of mobility.

6) Equine etiquette - Ponies are taught good manners from an early age. They in turn, will help children understand respect and how to behave around ponies. Ponies like to hear and see please and thank you. Lessons begin with a hello and end with a thank you.

7) Is there anything you want to tell your pony? Ponies are great listeners. They listen with their ears and their eyes. This portion of the lesson gives the child quiet time to spend with the pony. A gentle pat, a hug or just sitting near their new friend and companion. Time to just be friends.

Tuition for this program is $100.00 for four (4) thirty-minute lessons.

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.

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

SERT Programs

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