About Us

Our Equestrian Center helps us provide a great experience for our riders.

Everybody Rides is a therapeutic horseback riding program located on a picturesque 104-acre farm in Newark, New York. We have a state-of-the-art indoor arena with a heated waiting area and a viewing area. Everybody Rides is home to 14 beautiful horses, all donated by our generous supporters.

The program began in 1984 on a small farm in Sodus, New York. Today we serve over 150 people with developmental disabilities each week, year-round, which makes us one of the largest programs in New York State.
Click here for a complete history of the program.

	Our Staff Professional staff and trained volunteers work together to provide each rider with an experience that will maximize the benefits ...and the fun! Click here to learn more about our staff members.

What We Offer

Everybody Rides offers three types of riding:

• Recreational, which emphasizes the teaching of basic riding skills while providing the rider with a positive, fun experience on horseback.
• Educational, which strives to meet the individual goals of each rider. For example, if a rider has a short attention span, focusing exercises are provided, which improve and lengthen the amount of time the rider focuses on a given task.
• Hippotherapy, or therapy on horseback. A physical therapist and riding instructor work as a team to provide exercises which impact the rider's physical limitations. The horse's motion is used by the therapist to simulate movements that cannot be duplicated in the classroom.

Special training for a limited number of riders enables them to participate in trail rides and learn basic equitation, dressage and jumping. Everybody Rides also has riders who compete in local and statewide Special Olympics and perform regionally at accredited breed shows.

How the Program Operates

Referrals to the program are evaluated to determine whether circumstances exist which would prohibit riders from participating. Click here to learn more about eligibility requirements. Eligible riders are then scheduled into the appropriate riding class. Each class meets once a week for six to eight weeks. Small classes allow instructors and riders to concentrate on individual goals.

Michele participates in the Special Olympics, assisted by two teenaged volunteers.

Safety is our foremost consideration. When riders arrive at the stable, each immediately puts on an ASTM/SEI certified helmet. Our horses are temperament tested and specially trained to ensure that they are reliable and safe. Special adaptive equipment is available, including safety belts, safety handles, vaulting surcingles, and breakaway stirrups. We are proud to be a NARHA Premium Accredited Center.

Riders are assisted by trained volunteers who encourage independence while offering as much support as is needed. Horse leaders and sidewalkers are assigned by the instructor. The leader is responsible for guiding the horse, while the side walker provides support to the rider. Volunteering with Everybody Rides provides a wonderful opportunity for fun and exercise, while you provide an essential service to others. Click here to learn more about volunteering.

Everybody Benefits!

Riding gives an individual a sense of self-worth while providing him or her with a therapeutic form of exercise. The benefits we see are amazing! Coordination and balance improve, self confidence soars, and smiles abound. In this safe environment, everybody has fun ...including the volunteers!