Seaside Therapeutic Riding’s program “Seaside Horses for Heroes” is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. We are dedicated to teaching horseback riding and equestrian skills to disabled veterans challenged with a variety of special needs. Seaside Riding is offering FREE equestrian instruction to veterans challenged with injuries sustained while protecting the freedom of our nation. This will include all grooming and riding time, transportation for horse and rider to participate in horse shows, as well as required equipment needed for safe and proper riding.
Our organization is fully accredited by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). Seaside Riding brings together a team of skilled horses, NARHA certified instructors, and dedicated volunteers to teach our veterans the foundations of horsemanship and equine behavior.
Five years ago, NARHA, working in concert with Walter Reed Army Medical Center, launched the first Horses for Heroes program with great success at the 1st Battalion, 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard), in Fort Myer, Virginia. Seaside Therapeutic Riding is now expanding this program to New York bring the benefits of interacting with horses to area military veterans. Our newly developed Seaside “Horses for Heroes” program, the first of its kind in the metropolitan area.
Research has shown that Therapeutic Riding can deliver a variety of benefits to individuals challenged with combat-related injuries.
For veterans adapting to Amputations or Physical Impairments, Therapeutic Riding gently and rhythmically moves their bodies in a manner similar to a human walking gait, and can help restore balance, muscle control, and strength and self confidence.
Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can use Therapeutic Riding to help increase concentration, calmness, and independence. Through this “Horses for Heroes” program, our (NARHA) certified instructors, assisted by military personnel, will help veterans learn a variety of equestrian skills, including grooming, tacking, mounting, riding, and caring for horses. We offer basic, intermediate and advanced horsemanship instruction.
This program needs your help. To continue our policy of FREE lessons for these wounded Veterans, we must look to area donors and local Veterans groups for financial aid. We need the funds to pay for the lessons, purchase additional suitable horses and equipment for the program and to pay for the upkeep, feed and training for these horses. The stable we use is Jamaica Bay Riding Academy in Brooklyn N.Y.
Please consider helping us provide therapeutic horseback riding lessons to these special Veterans at Seaside Therapeutic Riding, This is a groundbreaking program, and will undoubtedly become as popular in our area as its sister program has proved to be in Arlington, VA. Please contact the program’s director, Daniel Cutler at (718) 812–8466 for more information, or visit ourwebsite, SeasideRiding.org. You are welcome to observe the program in operation. Please send all donations to the address above.
All the best,
Daniel Cutler
