Pegasus Therapeutic Riding was founded in 1975 at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club in Darien, Connecticut by a group of volunteers who believed in the therapeutic power of horseback riding. Beginning with eight students with physical disabilities, they were determined to bring the benefits and joys of therapeutic horseback riding to their their community. Today, Pegasus is one of the largest and most highly regarded therapeutic riding programs in the United States, serving some 200 students each year in programs at seven locations throughout Fairfield County, Connecticut and Westchester and Putnam Counties in New York.
Pegasus Therapeutic Riding provides the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding and other equine assisted activities to physically, emotionally, and developmentally challenged individuals at seven facilities and stables in the states of Connecticut and New York.
“The only time our daughter can sit at the table for a family meal is after a riding class. She is then calm and relaxed and able to really be a part of the family. Her teachers love for her to ride – after a riding session she can sit and attend in class..." -Mother of child rider.
Pegasus participants suffer from a wide range of physical disabilities including cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, Down Syndrome, traumatic brain injury and visual impairment. We also serve individuals with learning disabilities, language deficiencies and cognitive or sensory impairments such as autism, ADD and ADHD.
Benefits of Therapeutic Riding
“Horses don’t judge you by how clearly you speak.” -Quote from child with severe verbal apraxia (excellent receptive language, poor expressive language)
Therapeutic riding (TR) offers unique benefits that cannot be achieved through traditional forms of therapy. TR exercises both “mind and muscle,” producing remarkable results that include improvements in mobility, balance, posture, coordination, language development, behavior control and concentration.
First words ever uttered by a six-year old autistic rider to his horse: “Walk on!” His mom, instructor and volunteers filled up with tears.
The effect of a horse’s rhythmic walk offers benefits unattainable through traditional therapies. As the motion of the horse transfers to the rider, spastic muscles relax, muscles not ordinarily used are awakened, and the rider experiences a new kind of freedom of motion. For someone who cannot walk, see, communicate, or accomplish basic tasks without extreme difficulty, therapeutic riding is a powerful and liberating experience as well as a challenging sport.
“Riding is the only sport my child can do. He cannot play soccer or baseball because the other kids laugh at his awkwardness. No one laughs at him at Pegasus; he sits straight and tall and is quite proud of himself.” -Father of child rider