Veterans Horsemanship

Ride for Joy offers both riding and groundwork-based lessons to veterans and military personnel in order to promote healing and wellness among those who have served. Participating in horsemanship can have many benefits, including improved strength, balance, coordination, focus, confidence, and mental and emotional health.

Within the Veterans Horsemanship program, we strive to foster a community for veterans of all ages to connect and learn together. Activities includes learning to observe and understand equine behavior; brushing, tacking, and caring for our equine partners; and riding and groundwork skills.

Each lesson is planned and facilitated by a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor or *Instructor-in-Training. Instructors individualize lessons with activities that are tailored to each participant’s goals, abilities, and interests.

* Instructor-in-Training is an official PATH Intl. classification signifying an instructor candidate who is in the process of becoming certified.

Ride for Joy works to ensure that Veterans Horsemanship is provided at no cost to those who have served and thanks the sponsors who make this possible.

Eligibility

Groundwork Lessons

  • Any veteran or military personnel

  • Ability to groom and lead a horse on a sandy arena surface

Riding Lessons

  • Any veteran or military personnel

  • Weight limit of 200 lbs.

  • Physically able to sit with torso vertical and legs astride the horse

  • Physically able to maintain head and neck position without assistance

  • Presence of seizures may impact safety

Safety is a priority at Ride for Joy, and each application is carefully screened to determine whether there are any contraindications that would make equine-assisted activities inappropriate for the applicant. 

SCHEDULING

Lessons are offered on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings in four-week and eight-week sessions, which are scheduled throughout the year. Please check the Calendar of Events for session dates.

Throughout each session, participants attend once per week during their scheduled lesson time. Horsemanship classes are 75 minutes and are typically taught in small groups (2-3 participants), depending on the availability of staff, horses, and volunteers.

Sign Up

  1. To sign up for Veterans Horsemanship, please complete the New Student Application and have your medical provider submit the Medical Release Form.

  2. Email your application to lpekovich@rideforjoy.org, fax to (208)-550-3208, or mail to 28379 El Paso Rd. Caldwell, ID 83607.

  3. Upon receiving your application and medical release form, Ride for Joy will schedule an in-person new participant evaluation.

Returning veterans: Please complete a Returning Student Application and Medical Release Form annually.

QUESTIONS?

Please contact info@rideforjoy.org