The Therapeutic Equestrian Center

07/30/2024

Come join the TEC Team!!

07/23/2024

04/18/2024

Some days you just can’t find the words, and today is one of those days. But it seems rather fitting, as we had to say an unexpected and heartbreaking goodbye to a very special horse to whom words were never necessary. She could read your emotions like a book from 100 feet away. She was an amazing mirror to oneself, and taught so many people how to stop, breathe, and be in the moment with her. If you were able to do that she would give you absolutely everything she had with all her heart and soul. This amazingly sweet, gentle, and sensitive soul changed so many lives and brought so much love, joy, and peace to countless people who interacted with her during her time with us.
With her sturdy size and strong back, and her smooth flowing gates Pic (Picante) carried each of her riders with care and ease no matter their age or abilities. But she truly shined with her independent riders. Her strong desire to please, her “all in” attitude and work ethic, her sensitivity to aids, and her unflappable nature made her a dream to ride. She also thrived in her work in our veterans program- teaching trust, self awareness, confidence, and the importance of just being in the moment.
And while our hearts are broken at the moment and will be for a long time, they are also filled with endless gratitude, love, and countless happy memories of so many wonderful years and so many lives changed and enriched because of her.
Thank you Pic, your work here is done. Rest peacefully sweet girl and know how very much you are loved ❤️

03/05/2024

Tell your friends, and family that The Therapeutic Equestrian Center will receive $1.00 for every Community Bag purchased at Big Y 136 King Street, Northampton through the month of March. Don't forget to buy your bag!!🍀

01/30/2024

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! We are looking for some more volunteers to join our team! If you are interested in volunteering or would like more information about what volunteering with TEC entails, consider joining us for an information session/orientation on Thursday February 8
If you are interested in volunteering, but unable to attend, still reach out to us so we can find a time to chat more about it

01/24/2024

The Therapeutic Equestrian Center needs your to help us find our next equine hero.
TEC is searching for a healthy, serviceably sound, 15 to 16 hand draft cross, with a quiet, gentle attitude. We need a broad, heavy b***d horse that can carry our larger unbalanced riders. If you have a horse that is looking for a new job and is what we are looking for let's talk! Please private message the Center or call us at 413-532-1462.

01/15/2024

Centrally located in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, The Therapeutic Equestrian Center serves ch

12/06/2023

JUST A FEW DAYS LEFT TO GET YOUR DONATION IN FOR CREDIT ON YOUR 2023 TAXES!!

12/06/2023

The Therapeutic Equestrian Center a 501(c3) is one of the oldest PATH Certified and MA licensed Therapeutic Riding Centers in the country. TEC offers mounted and unmounted programs to individuals as well as to schools, rehabilitation facilities, Veterans agencies, and a variety of other social, academic and medical agencies. Please help our staff and horses to continue to improve the lives of those we serve. Every dollar you donate will make a difference in the lives of those who come to TEC to be part of the "Power of Horses" Celebrate the Holidays by making a donation today!

11/16/2023

10/23/2023

Is there anything better than trail rides in the fall? So happy to be out enjoying this beautiful day with our amazing riders, horses, and volunteers!!
🧡🍁🐴🍂💛

08/09/2023

https://www.wwlp.com/massappeal/horses-helping-those-with-developmental-needs/

(Mass Appeal) – The Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Holyoke uses horses to empower children and adults with physical, emotional, and developmental needs. It’s all with the goal to help…

07/20/2023

07/06/2023

So thankful for our wonderful riders and volunteers who made sure that our horses were all nice and cool on this hot afternoon 🐴💦🥰

05/22/2023

What a special moment today, when one of Penny’s favorite friends, brought flowers for her stall as well as her new brown and white stuffed pinto pony she received in memory of her buddy. Emma and Penny are kind of a famous pair as they were featured in a Florence Bank ad campaign last year- being part of a beautiful commercial highlighting their bond, as well as having their precious photo on a billboard on Route 5 and a banner which still hangs in our indoor arena. Our little Penny Pony touched so many lives, and we are so glad that her friends have so many wonderful memories of her and will continue to carry her with them in their hearts just as we will 💗

If you are able to, please consider making a donation, no matter the size, to help us find a new partner for Penny’s riders, not to replace her- as she, just like all of our special equine heroes are irreplaceable, but to honor her by helping us keep her riders in the saddle and experiencing the special bond between horses and humans.
Thank you ❤️🐴❤️

https://www.gofundme.com/f/epzn7?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR3coM9DsaV3dVAHDYaVqJZPvFB8befB3zaV-_85DHizjsFmc0_b-h3mVXI&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

05/17/2023

https://www.gofundme.com/f/epzn7?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1

It is with immense sadness, that we must share with you that at the end of last week… Geraldine Page needs your support for The Therapeutic Equestrian Center

05/16/2023

It is with immense sadness, that we must share with you that at the end of last week, we had to say a heartbreaking goodbye to our beloved Penny Pony. Despite our best efforts to keep her here with us and the help of our wonderful veterinarian, Penny let us know that it was her time- and we all know that when Penny was ready to go she was going with or without you! So our beautiful sassy girl peacefully left this world under blue skies and sunshine, surrounded by all of her equine buddies whom she adored, and with her head in our hands being kissed and told how very much she was loved and how incredibly grateful we were for all she did to help better the lives of all those lucky enough to know her. We are confident that she proudly trotted over that rainbow bridge, knowing that she lived a special life changing lives and bringing joy and happiness to so many- and once she was over we’re also confident she promptly hit the brakes and dropped her head for a large mouth full of well deserved green grass!

We have all heard that “good things come in small packages,” but Penny proved that really in our case- amazing things come in small packages! From the moment we met her, Penny immediately stole our hearts. With her adorable face and feisty personality you couldn’t help but love her- even when she had her naughty moments! We all know that she heard the comment “you’re lucky you’re so darn cute!” on more than one occasion!
But while she knew how to give everyone a run for their money from time to time and kept us all laughing, she also took her job seriously as she took impeccable care of all of her riders. She proved herself to be the most patient, steady, and reliable girl in her lessons. In every lesson she worked in she brought exactly what was needed- a calm steadiness for our more energetic and highly excited riders, a smooth sturdy ride for riders with balance difficulties or who required a lot of physical assistance, a safe and trusty partner for those learning to ride independently, and for our more timid riders her small size and quiet nature helped them feel safe and build confidence while they eased their way into the sometimes intimidating world of horses. And while most of her lessons were with our smaller riders, she also filled the same roles in our ground program working with several adults who also felt more comfortable with her size and demeanor. She never batted an eyelash at anything we asked from her- no matter how crazy! Even co-starring in a tv commercial with one of her favorite little riders. During the shoot, even with large groups of people moving all around, big cameras and reflector boards she’d never seen before, she was completely unfazed with the chaos and took the best care of her buddy.

For such a small package she certainly leaves a big whole in our hearts and in our program. Thankfully, she also leaves all of us with a vast amount of happy memories full of smiles, laughter, and love.

Thank you Penny Pony, you did good little one. Your work here is complete, but we and your fellow herd mates will take it from here. Rest peacefully sweet girl knowing that you are so very loved ❤️

Centrally located in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, The Therapeutic Equestrian Center serves ch

02/03/2023

HOCKEY FOR HORSES!!!!
THUNDERBIRDS vs Americans Saturday, February 25 @ 7:05 PM
Join TEC for an evening at the Springfield Thunderbirds game! Come support TEC at our "Chuck a Puck" table for the night! Tickets are only $16 in the Defensive Zone if you purchase tickets with the link below! A portion of each ticket sold, through our special discounted link, is going back to benefit TEC! Additional hats and food vouchers are available for purchase.

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS USING THE FOLLOWING LINK TO SUPPORT TEC!!
springfieldthunderbirds.formstack.com/forms/therapeuticequestriancenter

Centrally located in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts, The Therapeutic Equestrian Center serves ch

12/12/2022

12/01/2022

Check out our new TEC Water Bottles. The perfect gift for a horse loving, or TEC supporting or water drinking person (or all three!)
* 20 oz bottle
* BPA free plastic bottle
* 8" H x 2.75" Diameter
Bottles can be ordered at the TEC office or at tecriders.org/shop until December 23
Pick up will be before the Holiday by appointment.

11/03/2022

We are in need of a few more volunteers for our Tuesday afternoon lessons ( particularly our 4:00-5:00 lesson). Our volunteers assist in our riding lessons by helping to groom and tack horses before lessons, as well as acting as horse leaders or sidewalkers during the lessons.
While horse experience is helpful, it is not needed.
If you or someone you may know is interested in volunteering please message us for more information.
You can find our volunteer form on our website ( www.tecriders.org )

11/01/2022

Vanner checking out the pumpkins he helped his riders put together for our Halloween lessons! 🎃