​The Heart of Equi-Ed:
Enhancing Lives, One Rider at a Time
There’s something magical about the bond between a horse and a rider. At Equi-Ed, we witness that magic every day, but what happens here goes far beyond the typical horseback riding experience. It’s about empowerment, healing, and inclusion.
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Imagine a place where children and adults with disabilities are given the opportunity to push the boundaries of what they thought possible. That's exactly what happens at Equi-Ed. Our therapeutic riding programs provide so much more than a chance to sit atop a horse. Each rider is met with encouragement, respect, and the tools to achieve personal milestones.
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For some students, traditional physical therapy can be frustrating and grueling. But when they work with one of our gentle, trained horses, something shifts. The rhythmic movement of the horse stimulates her muscles in a way that can’t be replicated in a clinic. Our students feel stronger physically and light up with joy, pride, and a newfound sense of independence. What once may have seemed impossible—sitting tall, controlling movement, gaining confidence—becomes a new normal while at the barn.
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Our work at Equi-Ed centers around community. Our riders and their families find a safe, supportive environment where differences are not just accepted but celebrated. The connection between rider and horse fosters trust, patience, and self-confidence. These values translate into the daily lives of our participants, empowering them to overcome challenges both in and out of the arena. We provide opportunities for physical, emotional, and cognitive growth in ways that no other therapy can. The horses—our greatest partners—bring healing, strength, and happiness to everyone they touch.
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The importance of Equi-Ed is simple: we believe in the potential of every individual. Whether they are learning to sit up straight in the saddle or discovering their voice through interaction with a horse, our participants learn that they are capable of achieving incredible things.
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By supporting Equi-Ed, you are not just supporting a program; you are supporting lives. You are helping us create a world where everyone—regardless of their abilities—can experience the freedom, confidence, and fulfillment that comes from working alongside these magnificent animals.
Why Horses?
Therapeutic riding enhances health by improving balance, muscle control, and strength. The rhythmic motion of horseback riding mimics walking, promoting a sense of walking and stimulating passive exercise, which boosts cardiovascular, muscular, and respiratory strength.
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Engaging in activities like grooming, learning about tack, navigating obstacles, or practicing dressage fosters problem-solving, sequencing, impulse control, concentration, and patience.
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Furthermore, interactions with horses cultivate social skills and foster personal relationships. Horses form bonds without judgment, facilitating the development of trust and communication.
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Ultimately, all riders gain self-confidence from the challenges and excitement of riding.
Enhance well-being through horse interaction in a positive, inclusive environment fostering care and connection between disabled and non-disabled individuals
Begun in 1993, Equi-Ed was a part of the Special Education Department of Santa Rosa City Schools. Equi-Ed maintains an affiliation with the Adapted Physical Education and Equine Science departments of Santa Rosa Junior College and offers horsemanship instruction, competition opportunities, and specialized educational programs to children with and without disabilities.
Local & National Affiliations
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All instructors have completed specialized training in therapeutic riding and hold registered or advanced level certification.
To best meet the individual needs of clients, consultation or assessment with Occupational, Physical, and Speech therapists, as well as Adapted Physical Education specialists and Special Education teachers is arranged.
Equi-Ed actively works to promote public awareness of therapeutic riding through student riding demonstrations, and public speaking engagements to organizations and corporations