High Hurdles Therapeutic Riding Program

High Hurdles Therapeutic Riding Program We seek to provide a unique opportunity for people with special needs through the horse-human bond.

The High Hurdles Therapeutic Riding Program was developed in 1997 by a committee of parents, educators and professionals who were interested in providing a therapeutic riding experience for children with developmental disabilities. The program has expanded over the years and currently serves hundreds of riders, from age three to eighty-three years of age. High Hurdles offers cognitively, emotional

ly and physically challenged individuals a unique opportunity for growth and development. Instructors, students, horses and volunteers all work together to achieve challenging yet attainable horsemanship goals. Learning to care for and about horses while mastering riding skills is what High Hurdles is all about.

We can't WAIT to see Beau's face in the hands of every spectator and vendor at Equifest this year!Thank you Carrie Ducke...
02/01/2025

We can't WAIT to see Beau's face in the hands of every spectator and vendor at Equifest this year!

Thank you Carrie Duckett Photography,LLC for making this a reality 😍🐎

Two weeks remain to claim your spot in our first session at High Hurdles! Get your completed packets in by February 14th...
01/31/2025

Two weeks remain to claim your spot in our first session at High Hurdles! Get your completed packets in by February 14th. Email packets to [email protected], or mail them to 13339 Rt 39 Sardinia, NY 14134 Attn: Shelby Dytschkowskyj

We are looking forward to an amazing year!

01/30/2025

Attention Current Volunteers!

Join us February 22nd from 4-6pm for our Emergency Preparedness Training!

This training is available to all current volunteers at High Hurdles and Lothlorien. We will be going over our emergency procedures, practicing emergency dismounts and reviewing the locations of all equipment including first aid kits.
You will even have the opportunity to get on a horse!

01/30/2025

Thank you Anna Galley for sharing this video montage of our herd!

Happy National Kazoo Day! 💙
01/28/2025

Happy National Kazoo Day! 💙

Happy National Kazoo Day! 🎶🎶

Did you know the first metal kazoo was created 111 years ago right here in Eden, NY? Today, the Original Kazoo Factory remains a special part of our sasi community, providing meaningful employment opportunities and creating handcrafted kazoos, one step at a time. We’re so proud to support this rich history and the amazing people behind it! 💙
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01/28/2025
Take a read!
01/28/2025

Take a read!

Happy Fun Fact Friday!
Did you know that Lothlorien Therapeutic Riding Center does not provide therapy? 😲 Bear with us!

While our recreational programs offer many therapeutic benefits, they are not classified as therapy. Our instructors are highly trained in adaptive riding, but they are not physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, etc. Terminology is an important way that therapeutic riding centers like ours can offer accurate information to our participants and the public who support us! There are key distinctions in the words used to describe programming in our field, particularly when it comes to “therapeutic,” “therapy,” and “adaptive”. The industry is constantly evolving to improve our programs and the information surrounding them.

At Lothlorien, we offer adaptive (also known as therapeutic) riding lessons—specialized horseback riding instruction designed for individuals with diverse abilities. Our instructors focus on horsemanship and riding skills enhancing recreation, fitness, education, and socialization, rather than addressing clinical or medical goals like a therapist would. While adaptive riding is not a medical treatment, it does offer therapeutic benefits that support a persons’ physical and emotional well-being.

Research has shown that activities like adaptive riding can contribute to improved muscle strength, balance, and coordination, while also fostering a sense of accomplishment and social connection. Participants often experience increased confidence and reduced anxiety as they engage in this enriching activity.

If you are interested to learn more about the differences in programming within Equine Assisted Services, visithttps://pathintl.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/PATH-Intl-Services-Terminology-Centers.pdf

See you there!
01/25/2025

See you there!

🌟Get ready for an unforgettable experience at WNY Equifest! ✨

We're thrilled to showcase incredible businesses that are passionate about what they do:

🪓 Man Shed Creations – Custom woodworking and laser engraving to add that personal touch.
🍂 LeafFilter Gutter Protection – Keep your gutters clean and your home safe, rain or shine.
🐴 Nash Hill Equestrian Center – Offering top-notch boarding, training, lessons, and clinics for all levels of riders.
☕ Prominent Coffee Co. – Sip on specialty lattes, bubble teas, and the finest coffee to fuel your day.
🌈 Sasi High Hurdles Therapeutic Riding Center – Empowering riders with therapeutic riding programs that change lives.

Come out and support these amazing businesses while enjoying all the excitement WNY Equifest has to offer March 15 and 16! 🐎

✨ Stay tuned! We’ll be spotlighting new vendors every week, so make sure to follow our page for the latest updates! 📲 You won’t want to miss what’s coming next.

01/22/2025

Attention all Volunteers!

We've rescheduled our tack and equipment training day that was cancelled because of the snow. We're hoping the weather cooperates on February 6th from 4-6pm.

Let us know if you can make it, and we'll see you there!

Important Update: Due to weather conditions, High Hurdles will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22nd. Stay safe an...
01/21/2025

Important Update: Due to weather conditions, High Hurdles will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, January 22nd. Stay safe and take care! ❄️

01/21/2025

Thank you to all of our volunteers who joined us for our leading and lunging training last Wednesday. Our horses got to meet new faces from the volunteers at Lothlorien Trc and see some returning ones too! If you missed January’s but are interested in learning, the next leading and lunging training will be on March 8th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. We hope to see you there! ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Soon enough, we will be complaining about the heat as the sweat drips down our faces... But that won't stop us from comp...
01/21/2025

Soon enough, we will be complaining about the heat as the sweat drips down our faces...

But that won't stop us from complaining when those faces freeze today! 🤣

Important Update: High Hurdles is closed today,1/21! ❄️🌨️
01/21/2025

Important Update: High Hurdles is closed today,1/21! ❄️🌨️

01/20/2025

On this day, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his call for justice and equality. At sasi, we are committed to creating a community where inclusivity is at the heart of all we do. We believe in justice for all people, and together, we continue to strive for a world where everyone is empowered and celebrated. 💙
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Cowabunga! I think we're set on candy canes for a bit!Thanks to a sasi participant and his family for donating a whole b...
01/14/2025

Cowabunga! I think we're set on candy canes for a bit!

Thanks to a sasi participant and his family for donating a whole box of candy canes for the horses to enjoy!

01/08/2025

Next up, Beau!

Beau, our charming chestnut gelding, has been a wonderful part of our program and a true treasure in our barn family going on 3 years. At almost 23 years old, Beau brings a grandpa-like personality that is both endearing and wise.
Before joining High Hurdles, Beau lived an adventurous life. He spent years as a trusted trail and hunting companion, sharing countless rides with his owner who had him his entire life. Beau even had a stint in the mounted sheriff’s unit at the Erie County Fair, a true hero! 🚔
Beau is quite the character! He’s a talker who loves to whinny to the other horses, always making his presence known. He is easy to work with for volunteers that are just starting out, and even lets the littlest of our riders lead him without a fuss. Beau’s photo was chosen to be on the cover of WNY Equifest’s event program this year—proof that he is also a looker!
When Beau’s owner began struggling to keep up with his care in his older age, he made the difficult decision to donate him to our program, knowing he would thrive here. We are so grateful to have Beau in our barn and for the joy he shares with everyone around him.
Share your favorite memories or stories about this wonderful “grandpa” of the barn in the comments below. 💕🐴

01/08/2025

🐴 Volunteer Appreciation 🐴

ALL CURRENT VOLUNTEERS! We want to take a moment to give a HUGE shoutout to you, the incredible volunteers who make lessons at High Hurdles possible! 🙌 Your passion, dedication, and support has an incredible impact on our riders, and we couldn't do it without you. ❤️

Whether you’re helping in the arena, assisting with horse care, or providing support behind the scenes, your hard work has truly made a lasting impact on so many lives. 🌟

Details:
📅 Date: 2/13/25
⏰ Time: 4-6pm
📍 Location: sasi Sardinia Dayhab (next to the barn)
13339 Rt 39 Sardinia, NY 14134

To RSVP, please email [email protected]

Thank you for being part of our High Hurdles family and for making a world of difference! 🌈

01/07/2025

Bella Rae (Bella for short) has been a part of our program for six wonderful years, just behind Beatrix in seniority. Before joining High Hurdles, Bella was a training project for a student at Houghton University, then transitioned into their college riding program. There she gained experience teaching beginner/intermediate-level riders. The folks at Houghton thought she might enjoy therapeutic work and thus decided to gift her to us. While Bella sometimes lets us know she has opinions, she has proven herself to be a reliable and steady partner for riders of all levels.
Bella has her own unique personality, and we love her for it. Whether it’s helping a new rider build confidence or supporting a more experienced participant, Bella has a knack for stepping up and doing her job well (with her approval, of course).
And let’s not forget—she’s absolutely stunning! Bella’s golden palomino coat and the beautiful dapples that appear in the summer make her a favorite to admire. She knows she’s a beauty too 😉
We’re so grateful for the six years Bella Rae has spent helping our riders grow and learn. Please join us in celebrating her contributions and charm by sharing your favorite memories of her in the comments below! 💛🐴

Address

13339 Route 39
Sardinia, NY
14134

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 7:30pm
Tuesday 10am - 7:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 7:30pm
Thursday 10am - 7:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 7:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(716) 496-5551

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