Wildstar Equine Assisted Activities and

City To Saddle gives low-income, urban children an opportunity to visit in a rural environment and interact with a variety of farm animals, particularly horses. The week-long, half-day program during school vacation includes equestrian activities and other farm experiences. Participants receive full scholarships and are encouraged to be volunteers for other Horse SenseAbility programs.

Therapeutic riding and horsemanship lessons taught by PATH-certified instructors are available for children and adults with one or more of the following characteristics: autism spectrum disorder; learning disabilities; emotional, behavioral, or mental health issues; experience with violence, abuse or trauma; or identified as at risk. The horse’s movement stimulates brain function, often leading to significant gains in language, mobility, neurological organization and self-confidence.

Wildstar Wranglers provides a volunteer opportunity to young adults with special challenges for meaningful work in a supportive environment under the supervision of a professional educator. Tasks include daily horse care and barn chores. This experience builds and enhances the individual’s organizational skills, such as following directions, task completion, reliability and attention to detail, all of which directly translate into the person’s role in the community.

are offered to social service agencies, schools, afterschool programs and medical facilities in the surrounding area. Founder Polly Kornblith, her Labrador Retriever Arlo and her Shetland pony Hugo are registered by Pet Partners, whose mission is to improve human health and well-being through the human-animal bond. There is no cost to an organization or individual for a therapy visit.

The innovative Reading, Writing & Riding (RWR) intervention program is designed for students who do not have intensive academic support outside of the school day. RWR will
specifically focus on working with 4th and 5th graders who demonstrate a need for additional assistance to reach grade-level proficiency before leaving elementary school. RWR motivates children to read by providing access to high-quality, horse-themed book collections, one-on-one tutoring to promote fluency in reading and daily writing activities. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about, care for and ride horses as part of the program. Students will participate in a 10-week afterschool program that meets twice a week for 1 ½ hours each session.

Physical therapy using the movement of the horse is a treatment strategy known as "hippotherapy." Sessions are tailored to the needs of the patient and may include working in the clinic space, the barn, the spacious indoor arena or on the outdoor interactive Discovery Trail. After the initial evaluation, the Physical Therapist develops an individual integrated plan of care. Through collaboration with the therapist, patient and family, functional goals are identified to be addressed during weekly treatment sessions using hippotherapy when appropriate.