Program Information

Special Equestrians, Inc. is a horseback riding program which provides therapeutic riding to mentally and physically challenged children and adults.  Special Equestrians is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt public charity that is solely supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, civic organizations, private grants, and service fees.  Special Equestrians is an all volunteer self-administrative organization.  One hundred (100%) of all contributions goes directly to the support of the program.         

Established in 1987 with borrowed horses, the program provides therapeutic horseback riding to mentally and physically disabled persons from Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades Counties.  Special Equestrians is located at 5121 Staley Road, Fort Myers, Florida.  The  facility is owned by Special Equestrians and has a 12 stall barn for our horses, a hay and equipment barn, a riding arena and caretaker home.  The facility is also the site for our office and a large multipurpose room which is used for board meetings and special classroom lessons. 

Special Equestrians therapeutic riding program achieved Premier Accreditation status through NARHA (North American Riding Handicapped Association) in 2003.  Premier Accreditation requires on an on-site evaluation of policies and procedures covering over eighty (80) standards set forth by NARHA.  The accreditation process produces an organization that is not only extremely safe, but very professional.  Special Equestrians is better able to serve our community because of our investment in the accreditation process. 

The program supports nine horses and services more than 50 disabled riders each week.  Participating riders range in age from two years of age to 60 plus years. Riders’ disabilities include Cerebral Palsy, Down's Syndrome, Angelman, Head Injury, Blindness, Stroke, Autism, Deafness, Mental Retardation, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Schizencephaly.

The program lessons are divided into six week sessions.  Thirty minutes of therapeutic instruction is given to each rider per week, or per lesson.  The program is year round (eight consecutive sessions) with the exception of one month in the summer.  A fee of seventy-two dollars ($72.00) for a six-week session is charged per rider.  Scholarships are available for those who cannot afford the fee.  Medical and liability insurance coverage for riders, volunteers, board of directors and the program site is obtained through NARHA and the Markel Insurance Company.

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                                                              Special Equestrians is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit, tax-exempt local charity
                                                           supported solely by individual donations and service fees donated by riders.