Established in 1987 with borrowed horses, the program provides therapeutic horseback riding classes to children and adults with disabilities from Lee, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades Counties. Special Equestrians' facility, purchased in 2007, is located at 5121 Staley Road, Fort Myers, Florida. The ten acre farm is a welcoming and versatile home for Special Equestrians with a twelve stall barn for our horses, a hay and equipment barn, a riding arena, caretaker quarters and office space.

In the fall of 2007, a 100 x 200 Metal Cover was added to the riding arena area, to provide a safer and more comfortable environment for our participants, volunteers, instructors, and horses. In the fall of 2008, a viewing/waiting area was built adjacent to the riding arena. This roof structure provides a safe area to congregate, out of the heat and rain. Its concrete walkways provide a safe traverse through the viewing area and on to the mounting ramp. In 2009, a sensory integration trail was built, as a partnership project with Florida Gulf Coast University Students, on the Special Equestrians property. While riding on the Sensory Trail, our participants experience twelve different activity and obstacle stations. The setting provides a unique and exciting addition to the program classes offered at Special Equestrians.

Special Equestrians therapeutic riding program achieved Premier Accredited Center status through PATH, Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) in 2003. Premier Accreditation requires on an on-site evaluation of policies and procedures covering over eighty (80) standards set forth by PATH, Intl. 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. In the summer of 2009, Special Equestrians successfully completed their second PATH, Intl. site visit, which is required every five years in order to retain the status of Premier Accredited Center.

The program supports 12 horses and services more than 65 disabled riders each week. Participating riders range in age from two years of age to 65 plus years. Riders' disabilities include: Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down syndrome, Head Trauma, Stroke, Developmental Delay, Multiple Sclerosis, Seizure Disorder, Hearing Impairment, ADHD, Visual Impairment, Asthma, Loss of Limbs, and Impaired Communication.

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 the month of August. 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. Volunteer work, to pay for scholarships given, is highly recommended. Medical and liability insurance coverage for riders, volunteers, board of directors and the program site is obtained through PATH, Intl. and the Markel Insurance Company.