Programs - Saddle Up!

Our Programs

Saddle Up! is a PATH International Premier Accredited Center which provides high-quality programs in the field of equine-assisted services. Based on your child’s needs and interests, we can provide Adaptive Riding, Therapy Services, Adaptive Horsemanship, Fun on the Farm, Equestrian Club, Interactive Vaulting, From the Ground Up, and/or Alumni Transitions. To find out more information about our programs and how to get your child involved, please review the information below.

Why the horse?

Nothing can compare to the power of the horse. The auto industry has put “horsepower” into their engines for decades, but there is a “horse power” beyond strength and speed that only a real horse can provide. Saddle Up! partners with their herd to offer children and youth with disabilities a unique environment to grow and develop. Our horses provide movement, support, learning opportunities, strength, stability, companionship, and much more to participants in all of our different programs. To see the horses in action and the amazing power they have to offer, feel free to schedule a visit for you and your family.

Who can participate?

Saddle Up! serves children and youth with disabilities between the ages of 2 and 26 years old. Eligibility requirements differ depending on the program. If you have questions about your child's eligibility, contact the Program Department.

How do I get my child involved?

In order to get your child involved in one of our programs, you can sign up below or contact us via phone or email.

Current participant information

If your child is already enrolled in a Saddle Up! program, click for upcoming information, paperwork, FAQs, important policies and procedures, and much more!

Adaptive Riding

Saddle Up!’s Adaptive Riding (AR) program is an equine-assisted service where participants work on their mounted and unmounted horsemanship skills. Our PATH International Certified Instructors adapt the lesson for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of children with disabilities. Secondary benefits that have been observed by Saddle Up! families include improvements in balance, endurance, coordination, communication, speech, attention, and much more. Our Adaptive Riding program serves children with disabilities from the age of 4 through their 19th birthday.

Therapy Services

Saddle Up!’s Therapy Services (TS) offers physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy that incorporates equine movement as a treatment strategy. Our therapists skillfully direct the movement of the horse to challenge and engage the client’s neuromuscular and sensorimotor systems to address the client’s challenges, such as deficits in balance, endurance, coordination, communication, speech, and attention. Therapy Services treats client’s with disabilities as young as 2 years old.

Adaptive Horsemanship

Saddle Up’s Adaptive Horsemanship program is based on Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) principles. EAL is an experiential learning approach that promotes the development of life skills and personal growth. It is a relationship based program that integrates horse-human interaction that is guided by a planned learning experience. The learning activities concentrate on problem solving, decision making, critical thinking, creativity, communication, and confidence building. This program is designed to work with individuals with special needs ranging in age from 4 to 26 years old.

Saddle Up! Equestrian Club

Saddle Up!’s Equestrian Club (EC) is comprised of riders who have excelled through the Adaptive Riding program and are working on mastering their horsemanship skills. Each EC meeting gives riders the opportunity to participate in class work, barn work, riding, and horse care. Riders are children with disabilities who have achieved Level #4 in RIDES®, through our Adaptive Riding program, and showed continued interest in excelling their horsemanship skills.

Interactive Vaulting

Saddle Up!’s Interactive Vaulting (IV) program is an equine-assisted service where participants perform movements on and around the horse while the horse is being lunged on a circle. During a lesson, our PATH International Certified Vaulting Instructor directs vaulters to interact with each other and their horse in many different ways in order to foster teamwork, teach respect for the horse, foster independence, build confidence, and encourage social interaction. Our Interactive Vaulting program serves children and youth with disabilities from the age of 6 through their 19th birthday.

Alumni Transitions

Saddle Up!’s Alumni Transitions (AT) program is for Saddle Up! Graduates where they continue their Adaptive Riding education and combine it with vocational and job skills to enhance their quality of life and community impact. During a lesson, our PATH International Certified Instructor will lead graduates in a 1.5 hour lesson that includes grooming, tacking, riding, and vocational skills. Our Alumni Transitions program serves youth with disabilities from the age of 19 through their 26th birthday.

Fun on the Farm (Summer Only)

Fun on the Farm is a summer-only program where participants get to come out to Saddle Up! for a week and discover the farm from our herd’s point of view. Activities such as nature hikes, horse handling, crafts, water play, and riding lessons will teach students leadership, teamwork, and problem solving skills… and they’ll have so much fun they won’t even know they are learning! Our Fun on the Farm program is designed for children and youth with disabilities from the age of 6 through their 19th birthday.

From the Ground Up (an EAL Partnership)

Saddle Up’s From the Ground Up program is based on Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) principles. EAL is an experiential learning approach that promotes the development of life skills and personal growth. EAL is a relationship-based program that integrates horse-human interaction and is guided by a planned learning experience for the group. However, each session is tailored to address the needs of each individual in the group. The learning activities concentrate on teamwork, problem solving, decision-making, critical thinking, creativity, communication, leadership and confidence building through ground horsemanship skills. This program is designed to work with participants of all ages.

Saddle Up!

1549 Old Hillsboro Road
Franklin, TN 37069-9136
info@saddleupnashville.org

Program Hours

Monday – Thursday 9am – 7pm
Friday 9am – 5pm
Saturday 8am – 4pm