Programs

Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center (SHHRC) is designated as a Premier Accredited Center by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).  Here is our AHA, Inc. Approved Courses and Course Registration Form for our upcoming classes.  SHHRC offers a full compliment of excellent programs for individuals with disabilities including:

• Therapeutic Riding
• Equine-Assisted Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy
• Summer Day Camp
• Therapeutic Driving

Therapeutic Riding - Participants learn horsemanship skills through adaptive horseback riding lessons.  The goal is for the rider to become as independent as possible.  Riders are assisted by horse leader and sidewalker volunteers when necessary.  Minimum age for participation is 5 years.  All Instructors at SHHRC must undergo training and certification through NARHA.  Therapeutic riding lessons at SHHRC are in a group lesson format with 2 to 5 riders of similar abilities.  Lessons are once a week and run in session blocks:  Winter (January and February), Spring I (March and April), Spring II (May and June), Fall I (September and October), Fall II (November and December).  The cost is $40 per lesson.

Equine-Assisted Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapy - Licensed therapists use the movement of the horse to help the rider achieve therapy goals.   When the rider sits on a horse, his body is challenged to use muscles that may not normally be used.  This helps in improving strength, flexibility and endurance.  The appeal of riding is also a motivating factor for young clients.  Equine-assisted therapy sessions (also known as hippotherapy) are conducted by a New Jersey licensed therapist who is certified by the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA).   In addition to the therapist, a NARHA certified instructor and 1 to 3 volunteers are part of the treatment team.

Summer Day Camp - Camp Cold Brook is a NJ DOH approved day camp for children ages 5 - 13.  The camp accepts children with disabilities and children without disabilities.  Campers enjoy one riding lesson and an additional equestrian activity each day.   In addition, campers participate in arts and crafts and games.  Camp is available for five one-week sessions in June and July each year.

Therapeutic Driving - Therapeutic carriage driving is a new program for SHHRC and will make its debut in Summer 2005.  Participants learn carriage driving from a NARHA certified driving instructor with a one-on-one teaching format.  The driving instructor rides in the carriage with the participant and is assisted by one or two volunteers on the ground.   Therapeutic driving is an excellent equestrian sport for individuals who may not be able to participate in horseback riding safely because of physical or emotional limitations.

Participants  Here's our Client/Rider Application form, our Client/Rider Information, and our Client/Rider Brochure (pdf format).

Participants in equine-assisted activities at SHHRC include individuals with a wide variety of physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities such as:

AD/HD Spina Bifida Language Disorders Autism Spectrum Stroke Muscular Dystrophy Brain Injury Cerebral Palsy Down Syndrome

Hearing Impairment Angelman's Syndrome Spinal Cord Injury Multiple Sclerosis Alzheimer's Disease Vision Impairment Noonan's Syndrome Neurological Impairment Prader-Willi Syndrome

In 2004, SHHRC provided equine-assisted activities for 143 children and adults with disabilities.  Participants range in age from 2 years to 78 years, 70% of whom are under the age of 15.

See the newspaper story about one of our participants!

"For Little Girl, a Stuggle to Eat, Grow," by Clem Fiorentino, Courier News, 20 March 2008.

Facilities

Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center is located on a twelve acre farm in Tewksbury Township, New Jersey.  The 15,000 square foot complex includes a fourteen stall barn with tack room, an indoor riding arena, a wheelchair accessible mounting area, equipment storage area, administrative offices, an education/therapy room and an apartment for the barn manager.  In addition, the Center also has a 160' x 200' outdoor riding ring which is large enough for carriage driving lessons.  SHHRC is open 12 months a year, six days a week.  The indoor arena enables the Center to operate in the evening and during inclement weather.  In 2004, SHHRC put the size and function of the facilities to the test when the Center's 20^th Annual Horse Show was held "at home."   The program maintains 11 horses and ponies for use in the program.  Both the farm and horses are owned by the organization.

Staff

SHHRC has a small staff which is supported by a large corps of volunteers.  The staff includes a full-time Executive Director, a fulltime Program Director, a fulltime Barn Manager and 8 part-time positions, a Volunteer Coordinator, an Administrative Assistant, Instructors, Maintenance Assistants and Barn Assistants.

Volunteers  Here's our Volunteer Registration form (pdf format).  Also see our Potential Volunteer Cover Letter, our Volunteer Orientation Form, and our Orientation Cover Letter.  Don't forget Directions to SHHRC.

See the newspaper story about volunteering!  

TEWKSBURY:  Volunteers Sought at Handicapped Riding Center, Courier News, 5 March 2007.

The organization's commitment to providing an exceptional program is facilitated by the dedicated corps of more than 300 volunteers who give of their time and keep a weekly commitment so that riders can participate in this enjoyable and therapeutic activity.  An additional 100 volunteers support SHHRC activities on an occasional basis by providing staffing and organization of special events and other annual functions.  As a charitable organization, SHHRC provides an opportunity for local high school and college students to fulfill community service requirements.  These young people not only secure necessary hours to meet their school or course requirements but are also exposed, in an informal social setting, to individuals with disabilities.  In many cases our volunteers gain another perspective about the challenges individuals with disabilities face on a daily basis.   In all, SHHRC draws volunteers from 114 communities in more than eight counties in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Funding

SHHRC is a not-for-profit (501)(c)(3) registered charitable organization that is funded primarily by individual donations.  SHHRC receives no federal, state or local government aid.  Approximately 20% of annual income is derived from program revenue, 35% from special events, 30% from donations and 15% from corporate and foundation grants.  To keep program fees at a reasonable cost for participants, SHHRC must raise funds to cover 80% of the budget.