Saddle Up! serves 49% male and 51% female. The riders ages range from 2-7 at 18%, ages 8-13 at 54%, ages 14-19 at 26%, and ages 20-24 at !%. The primary diagnosis served are Autism Spectrum Disorder at 33%, Intellectual Disabilities at 11%, Learning Disabilities at 1%, Mental Health Impairment at 9%, Multiple Disability at 22%,Other Health Impairments at 8%, Physical Disability at 16%, and Speech and Language Impairment at 2%.
As stated on Saddle Up! website "In November 1989, a core group of volunteers quietly launched a dream. They wanted to give wings to children with disabilities through a program which they named Saddle Up! focusing on recreational activities with horses. The dreams of that core group have grown far beyond even their imaginations."
Saddle Up! used to only host a program that was once a week. Today, they are a year-round program that serves around 180 children/youth. This is the oldest and largest program in the region and it exclusively serves children and youth with disabilities.
They are a Premier Center that is accredited by PATH International. The standards for safety and quality of equine assisted programs are set high.
All this information can be found on the Saddle Up! website.
Saddle Up! Is A Non Profit 501(C)(3) Recreational Riding Program That "Serves Children And Youth With Disabilities Between The Ages Of 2 To 26 Years Old. Eligibility Requirements Differ Depending On The Program" (Digitiv, 2021). Saddle Up! Is The Only "American Hippotherapy Association (Aha) Member Facility In Tennessee" (Digitiv, 2021).
The services that are offered are Alumni Transitions (ages 19-26), Saddle Up! Equestrian Club (ages 10-19), Interactive Vaulting (ages 6-19), Adaptive Riding (ages 4-19), Therapy Services (ages 2-19) (physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology), Equine Assisted Learning (ages 4-19), and Fun on the Farm (ages 6-18, summer only).
There are 3,168 hours of equine therapy provided. Programs by hours are Vaulting 7%, Equine-Assisted Learning 6%, Alumni Transitions 8%, Therapy Services 4%, Adaptive Riding 67%, and SU! Equestrian Club 8%.
This facility would not be able to run without the generous donations and help from their volunteers. The volunteers come from different backgrounds, 14 different zip codes, as well as all different ages. The value of volunteer services is $195,840. These volunteers have an overall of 7,200 volunteer hours. There are 655 individual donors.
There are many Volunteer opportunities available as well. Volunteers must be at least 12 years of age. The possible opportunities that one can involve themselves in include: Side-walker, Therapy Service Supporter, Leader, Feeder, Stable Hand, Pony Pal, and Fundraising Support.
Side-walker: Ensure the safety of the rider. Assists the rider through their lessons, keeping their attention on the rider. Side-walkers will give support when needed, doing a heel or over-the-thigh hold. The side-walkers main focus is the rider. Assist rider with getting horse ready, mounting horse, and learning how to ride. Age must be 16 or older and be able to walk or do light jog for 30 minutes or more. New-volunteer Training Required.
Therapy Services Supporter: Volunteer is used as a supporter that walks next to the horse on the opposite side from therapist. Age must be 16 or older and be able to do a walk or fast walk for 30 minutes or more. New Volunteer Training required.
Leader: A leader is someone who is assigned a horse, arrived early to groom, tack, and warm up the horse before lessons. The leaders main focus is the horse, making sure the horse is safe. They must put equipment away after lesson, as well as turn the horse out is the right stall or pasture. They must be 16 or older and be able to do a walk or slow jog through the lesson for 30 minutes or more. They must have previous horse experience as well as being comfortable handling horses. New Volunteer Training and Leader Training required
Feeder: A feeder must be at least 12 years old accompanied by an adult until they are 16. Feeders are expected to make a weekly commitment to their assigned feeding time, morning or evening feeding shift. They must feed the horses according to their diets and medication needed, moving horses to their assigned stall or pasture for morning or evening dinner as well as their assigned sleeping arrangements. They must clean the stalls and barn area. Check water and troughs and remove or put on blankets or fly masks. New volunteer training and feeder training required.
Stable Hand: They take care of the barn chores when programs are in progress. They assist in cleaning stalls, tack, help with equine care, facility chores and maintenance. They must be at least 12 years old, accompanied by an adult until they are 16. New Volunteer Training and Stable Hand Training required.
Pony Pal: Volunteers are assigned to a horse where they must pamper, condition, and practice ground work. There must be consistent volunteer activity for 3 months before applying. New Volunteer Training and Rider Skill Assessment required.
Fundraising Support: Volunteers that pertain the skill set and knowledge of planning and coordinating fundraising events.
Special events help at Saddle Up! are Chuckkers For Charity, Music Country Grand Prix, and the Super Show.
Chuckkers For Charity- as stated on Saddle Up! website "Since 1996 Chukkers for Charity, a fundraiser benefiting Rochelle Center and Saddle Up!, has grown into a prestigious event the entire midstate area enjoys. Today, with an attendance of over 750 and significant media coverage, the popularity of this family friendly event continues to draw top notch polo players, corporate sponsors, and a diverse audience."
Music Country Grand Prix- as stated on Saddle Up1 website "The Music Country Grand Prix is a premier equestrian show jumping competition featuring top riders and horses from across the nation. Proceeds benefit Saddle Up!."
Super Show- as stated on Saddle Up! website "The Saddle Up! Phenomenal Equestrian Riders (SUPER) Show is our annual event where riders from Saddle Up! and other programs compete in a series of equestrian classes. Riders from all skill levels are allowed to compete in these classes which highlight and show off the skills they have learned in front of family and friends. Saddle Up! hires professional horse show judges to assess the rider’s skills."
All data was updated in 2020
