This month the CFOC Nonprofit Spotlight features Athelas Therapeutic Riding’s Head Start with Horses program.

For years, Athelas Therapeutic Riding has provided year-round programs for children and adults with disabilities, based on the needs of each participant. With the help of an award from the Community Foundation of Otsego County, Athelas initiated the Head Start with Horses program for students at the Unadilla Head Start.

Head Start with Horses was a three-week, four session program introduced in September 2023. Along with instructors from Athelas, Head Start with Horses involved volunteers from the community, and students, along with a faculty member, from the Human Development and Family Studies Program at SUNY-Oneonta,

Program activities were varied – Horse and Barn safety, Horseback Riding, Horse Nutrition, Anatomy of a Horse, Grooming and Care – and included a blacksmith demonstration and a craft activity. One of the most popular crafts to make was a stick horse and then ride it through an obstacle course.

The Head Start teachers were enthusiastic about the different activities and for the opportunity their students had to learn from real life experiences. The SUNY-Oneonta students enjoyed working with the children.

Looking forward, Athelas would like to offer this program again, opening it to other Head Start classes and, possibly, to local preschools. Committed to providing therapeutic and recreational horsemanship to enrich the lives of children and adults with disabilities, Athelas works to give everyone the opportunities for autonomy and success, to take pride in their accomplishments.

For further information on Athelas Therapeutic Riding, its programs and volunteer opportunities, visit them at http://athelastherapeuticridinginc.org.

Content provided by Athelas Therapeutic Riding.