Inspire Equine Therapy

Inspire Equine Therapy Programs

Adaptive Riding

Equine Assisted Learning

Stirrups & Stripes

Applications open Dec 1st

Private (45 in) - $75

Group 2-4 Riders (1 hr.) - $50

Our adaptive riding program is designed to make horseback riding accessible and enjoyable for individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges. Through tailored instruction and the support of specially trained horses, participants can develop riding

Applications open Dec 1st

Private (45 in) - $75

Group 2-4 Riders (1 hr.) - $50

Who is this for: Individuals with special needs ages 12+

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Stirrups & Stripes

Equine Assisted Learning

Stirrups & Stripes

Applications open Dec 1st

Veteran programs are offered at NO COST to the participants

Applications open Dec 1st

Veteran programs are offered at NO COST to the participants

This is a specialized mounted program for veterans, providing a unique therapeutic experience with horses. Here, veterans can build trust, develop new skills, and find a sense of camaraderie and peace. Our dedicated team is committed to creating a supportive and respectful environment, honoring our veterans service while helping them harness the healing power of horses.

Who this is for: Veterans

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Equine Assisted Learning

Applications open Dec 1st

Private (45 in) - $75

Group 2-4 Riders (1 hr.) - $50

Equine-Assisted Learning is an experiential learning approach that promotes the development of life skills for educational, professional, and personal goals through equine-assisted activities. Participants engage in activities with horses that promote problem-

Applications open Dec 1st

Private (45 in) - $75

Group 2-4 Riders (1 hr.) - $50

Who this is for: Individuals with special needs ages 12+, seniors, veterans, and the greater community

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Horse Powered Reading

Equine Assisted Learning

Applications open Dec 1st

Horse Powered Reading ® is an evidence-based experiential approach to reading intervention. Participants work with horses from the ground and engage in different activities to identify obstacles and learn five critical reading skills - phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

Who this is for: Individuals with special needs ages 12+

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Stable Memories

Horse Powered Reading

Stable Memories

Stable Memories is a NEW book club group, for those living with dementia and their care partners. Participants will enjoy a 30-minute reading group- where they may participate in reading aloud, or simply enjoy listening, followed by a 30-minute guided interaction with one of our program horses. We will engage the senses, share memories

Who this is for: Seniors with dementia and their caretakers

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Silver Spurs

Horse Powered Reading

Stable Memories

Applications open Dec 1st

Private (45 in) - $75

Group 2-4 Riders (1 hr.) - $50

Silver Spurs is an adaptive riding program for seniors (65+) who want to get back into riding or start something new! Participants will engage in both mounted and unmounted equine activities, build their confidence around horses and have fun!

Who this is for: Seniors

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Horsemanship

Applications open Dec 1st

Private (45 in) - $50

Group 2-4 Riders (1 hr.) - $35

Applications open Dec 1st

Private (45 in) - $50

Group 2-4 Riders (1 hr.) - $35

Our horsemanship program offers participants the opportunity to learn and develop skills in caring for and handling horses. Participants will gain hands-on experience in grooming, feeding, and understanding equine behavior, all while building a strong bond with these magnificent animals. This program is designed to foster confidence, responsibility, and a deeper connection to the natural world, providing a fulfilling and educational experience for individuals of all skill levels.

*This program is suitable for participants who are comfortable walking on uneven surfaces (in the covered arena) or have a power chair for mobility. Limited to 4 participants.

Who this is for: Individuals with special needs ages 12+, veterans, seniors, the greater community

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Showmanship

Horsemanship

Applications open Dec 1st

Private (45 in) - $75

Group 2-4 Riders (1 hr.) - $50

Showmanship is the art of presenting your horse in the best light to the judge, highlighting your horse's attributes. In this program, participants will learn how to prepare and show their horse in hand. Participants will be paired with an equine partner and wil

Applications open Dec 1st

Private (45 in) - $75

Group 2-4 Riders (1 hr.) - $50

*This program is suitable for participants who are comfortable walking on uneven surfaces (in the covered arena) or have a power chair for mobility. Limited to 4 participants.

Who this is for: Individuals with special needs ages 12+, veterans, seniors, the greater community

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Adaptive Riding

Inquire Now!

Applications open Dec 1st

Stay tuned for information about Winter Session!

Private (45 in) - $75

Group 2-4 Riders (1 hr.) - $50

Adaptive Riding is recreational horseback riding lessons for individuals with various special needs. Riders learn horsemanship and riding skills in an environment tailored to their individual needs and learning styles. We offer instruction to riders of all skill levels, from providing someone's first contact with a horse to advanced independent riders. The goals for those in the adaptive riding program are riding-skill based, but individuals and parents often report many therapeutic benefits of participation. These benefits include improvements in physical strength, balance, coordination, mobility, self-confidence, self-control, peer interaction, and social skills.

Adaptive riding lessons are taught by PATH International certified instructors who create a wide variety of games and exercises designed to meet each student's needs. Lesson plans take into account the rider's physical, emotional, and mental strengths and limitations. Classes include arena riding, trail rides, and group activities. With the combination of a trusted horse, instructor, and group of knowledgeable volunteers, riders become more willing to try new things and attain new goals.

Please note that all Inspired Acres programs are designed for ages 12 and above.

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How does adaptive riding work?

A horse's soothing rhythm, strength, warmth, and three-dimensional movement pattern provide healthy exercise while improving circulation and muscle tone. The discipline associated with working with horses and the social interactions between peers benefit the mind and spirit while raising self-esteem and increasing self-sufficiency through accomplishment. The unconditional acceptance of the horses has been proven to reduce anxiety, encourage interaction, and offer a haven where riders can feel a sense of empowerment.

Who Benefits

Adaptive Riding can benefit individuals with a variety of disabilities, illnesses, and injuries. Below are some of the many diagnoses we see in our programs.

Autism
Developmental delay or disability
ADD/ADHD
Learning disability
Cerebral Palsy
Down syndrome
Emotional, behavioral, or mental health issue
Head trauma/brain injury
Hearing impairment
Visual impairment
Genetic conditions/disorders
Multiple Sclerosis
Intellectual disability
Youth identified as “at-risk”
Stroke
PTSD
Muscular Dystrophy
Spina Bifida
Paralysis
Spinal cord injury
Amputation
Orthopedic disorder

Horse Powered Reading ® is an evidence-based experiential approach to reading intervention. Participants work with horses from the ground and engage in different activities to identify obstacles and learn five critical reading skills - phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension.

Horse Powered Reading® integrates social-emotional learning with academics, allowing students to see and experience reading with their entire mind, body and emotions by creating metaphors for the skills involved in reading.

Please note that all Inspired Acres programs are designed for ages 12 and above.

Who benefits from horse powered reading?

Social-emotional issues, ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns often get in the way of student learning. Taking reading outside the classroom and engaging in experiential learning has the power to break through those challenges, giving students a chance to learn or reinforce reading and other academic skills in the moment.

Horse Powered Reading® helps students:

Increase confidence
Promote self-efficacy
Foster connections
Learn valuable reading skills
Carry new skills into the regular classroom
Enjoy learning

*Activities and session goals will vary based on the needs of the individual or group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at info@inspiredacresfl.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What are your hours?

We are by appointment only! Please reach out to us at info@inspiredacresfl.org to schedule a tour or appointment.

What is therapeutic recreation?

Recreational therapy, also known as therapeutic recreation, is a systematic process that utilizes recreation and other activity-based interventions to address the assessed needs of individuals with illnesses and/or disabling conditions, as a means to psychological and physical health, recovery and well-being (NCTRC, 2024).

The purpose of the RT process is to improve or maintain physical, cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual functioning in order to facilitate full participation in life. Services are provided or directly supervised by a “Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist” (CTRS).

Recreational therapy includes, but is not limited to, providing treatment services and recreation activities to individuals using a variety of techniques including arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings. Recreational therapists treat and help maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their clients by seeking to reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence; and socialize effectively (NCTRC, 2024).

Who are your programs for?

Our therapeutic recreation programs are designed for individuals with disabilities over the age of 12, veterans, seniors, people in recovery from addiction, and the greater community.

What happens if I cancel one of my lessons?

Program billing at Inspired Acres is based on the participant’s place in our programs, rather than on attendance of individual lessons. Therefore, no credits or makeup lessons will be given for participant cancellations (unless cancelled by Inspired Acres staff.)

Rescheduling: Due to the complex nature of equine activities and the scheduling of horses, volunteers and instructors, we are unable to offer opportunities to reschedule missed or canceled lessons.

Please see our cancellation policy to answer any questions or reach out to us directly.

Are you closed for holidays?

Yes, please check out our program calendar for any scheduling questions or email us directly at caitlin@inspiredacresfl.org

Do you accept insurance?

In an effort to keep our programs low cost and accessible to a wide variety of participants, we do not accept insurance. Individual participants are welcome to submit a claim to their insurance company for reimbursement; however, Inspired Acres will not do so on your behalf.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes we do! We are proud to offer need-based scholarship assistance thanks to the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations. Scholarships are available for our core equine and therapeutic recreation (6 and 12- week) and are issued by the session. A new scholarship application will need to be submitted for each session requiring financial assistance. Please click here to fill out an application for financial assistance.

Inspire Equine Therapy