Frequently Asked Questions

Therapeutic Riding includes any mounted equine activity taught by a PATH International Certified Instructor with assistance from trained volunteers. Generally, students are individuals with disabilities or diverse needs. They may learn traditional riding disciplines or participate in adaptive riding activities designed to accommodate their specific challenges.PATH is the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. It is an international organization that governs and sets the standards within the industry for equine assisted activities and therapy. For more information, you can visit PATH’s website at www.pathintl.org.

Pegasus is dedicated to addressing the needs of individuals with physical, developmental, intellectual, and behavioral challenges. Therapeutic riding lessons can be adapted to teach riding skills to a wide variety of participants while accommodating their individual needs. In evaluating whether therapeutic riding is appropriate for an individual, safety (of both riders and horses) is our primary concern. A physician’s release is required before someone may even be considered for participation in the program. All prospective participants must be evaluated by program staff prior to entry in the program. There is a $50 non-refundable fee for the evaluation.

The benefits of therapeutic riding include:

• Improved balance, flexibility, strength, muscle control and eye-hand coordination;
• Greater self-confidence, independence, patience, emotional control, self-discipline and problem solving skills;
• Development of friendships, teamwork skills, mutual respect and a sense of responsibility;
• Fun, relaxation and a general sense of well-being.

If your student has been found eligible to receive compensatory education (hours) through the School District of Philadelphia; the amount, duration, and extent in which you may utilize compensatory hours will be outlined in your individual settlement agreement.

Pegasus TRA is an approved provider with the Philadelphia School District.

Download our registration packet here to get started.

We serve riders with many different types of disabilities. For example, some of our riders have the following disabilities:

• ADHD – Inattentive type, Hyperactive- Impulsive type, Combination type
• Autism
• Cerebral Palsy
• Developmental Delay or Disability
• Down Syndrome
• Emotional, Behavioral, or Mental Health Conditions
• Executive Functioning Issues
• Genetic Conditions/Disorders
• Head Trauma/Brain Injury
• Hearing Impairment
• Learning Disability
• Intellectual Disability
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Orthopedic Conditions
• Paralysis
• Prader-Willi Syndrome
• Speech Impairment
• Spina Bifida
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Stroke
• Terminal Illness
• Visual Impairment

Riders must be at least 2 years old. Weight limits for riders are imposed for the safety of the horses.  The weight limit at Pegasus is 200 lbs. including tack.

No. Pegasus only works with riders who have a disability. Unfortunately, our schedule does not have room even for siblings who do not have disabilities. The one exception is our “Back in the Tack” lesson program, which is designed for able-bodied men and women over the age of 18 and does not require its participants to have a disability.

Pegasus provides group therapeutic riding lessons, a specialized autism program, an unmounted equine facilitated learning program, a Senior Saddles program for riders age 55 and older, and a six-week “try me” summer program. Please go to Our Programs page for more details.

Group therapeutic riding lessons are provided on:

• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings (6:00 – 8:00 PM);
• Wednesday and Thursday mornings;
• Saturday and Sunday mornings and afternoons.

The Autism Program is offered on Monday evenings (6:00 – 8:00 PM).

“Back in the Tack” lessons are offered on Tuesday mornings.

There are four riders in each group lesson. Participants in group lessons learn riding and horsemanship skills. They also play games, work on educational and social skills, and take trail rides on the Pegasus property. Riders will also participate in unmounted activities with our horses in order to gain a better appreciation of our four-legged friends as well as build a stronger bond with the horse they ride.

Group Lessons are 30 minutes long. Participants ride once a week in the same lesson time. Riders must participate for the minimum of a session. There are opportunities for additional private lessons.