Thank you for your interest in PALS riding lessons.

PALS provides many different services such as:

Equine Assisted Activities such as therapeutic riding (four and up) and hippotherapy (two and up) to children and adults with cognitive, physical or emotional disabilities and at risk-youth.

Recreational Riding Lessons for volunteers, their families and community members (ages six and up).

Equine Assisted Activities (EAA) have been identified as beneficial forms of exercise and recreation for people with a wide range of disabilities. EAA combines goals in sports, recreation, therapy and education.  PALS uses two types of EEA in its program, therapeutic riding and hippotherapy.

At PALS, we are dedicated to improving our riders' quality of life: mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Experienced staff members develop riding lessons to suit each rider’s needs in conjunction with physicians, physical therapists, special education teachers and etc. All instructors at PALS are North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) Certified and PALS is a NARHA Premier Accredited therapeutic riding program.

At PALS, riders are assisted by specially trained horses in weekly lessons to enhance balance, muscle development and learning skills such as hand-eye coordination, concentration and memory. More importantly, at PALS we stress having fun in a safe and rewarding environment.

Equine Assisted Activities are beneficial for at-risk youth because the emotional bond created between the horse and the rider is invaluable. Participants may, for the first time in their lives, experience safe and nonjudgmental love and friendship. The hope is that this experience will be translated into positive human relationships in their everyday lives. PALS provides Equine Assisted Activities to at-risk youth from other local social service agencies, schools and private individuals.

THERAPEUTIC RIDING includes mounted activities, either traditional riding disciplines or adaptive riding activities, conducted by a NARHA certified instructor. Riding lessons are developed to suit each rider's needs in conjunction with physicians, parents/caregivers and therapists. Therapeutic riding is available for individuals ages four and up.

Parents and riders have said the following statements about PALS' therapeutic riding program:

“Multiple sclerosis has left me with a completely normal left side and a badly damaged right. Even walking is so painful that I thought I'd never enjoy outdoors activities again. Amazingly, I've been sitting a horse for the first time in many years. Last week Barb instructed me in a sitting trot, and it was so exhilarating that I burst out laughing right there on Dew's back. We trotted again and again, and I just kept laughing. I was delighted and felt both competent and protected.” 
-- Lisa W.  (PALS rider and Advisory Board Member)

“PALS has the friendliest people and the best horses!”
– Dan (PALS rider)

“The people that I have met have changed my life for the better.
– Brad (PALS rider)

“Her confidence level and strength has grown over this past summer and she tells everyone with pride how she rides horses!  She walks with her crutches and walker a lot straighter and taller, she has more confidence in herself, and she seems to have become overall a lot stronger.”
-- Trent & Carrie H.  (PALS parents)

“When my child is on a horse at PALS, a true smile is upon his face and mine!”
– Teresa (PALS parent)

“Our son has a fun activity he can participate in, just like normal kids.” 
– Melissa (PALS parent)

“Kyle was not verbal when he started at PALS and after continuous effort he began saying horsey, walk on please, whoa please, ring.”
-- Lindsey O’Haver  (PALS instructor)

Summary of Fees for Participants:

Group Lessons (45 minutes) or Private Lessons (30 minutes) cost $ 35.00 per lesson/ $350.00 for session
Initial Assessment Fee (due at time of assessment) $35.00
Payments are due in full at the beginning of a session unless other arrangements are made with PALS.

HIPPOTHERAPY is a physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment performed by a licensed health professional that utilizes equine movement as a part of an integrated treatment program to achieve functional outcomes. In order to participate in hippotherapy, a physician's prescription is needed. Hippotherapy is recognized by both the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association. Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational or speech therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. Hippotherapy is available for individuals ages two and up.

Summary of Fees for Hippotherapy Clients:

Regular PT, OT or ST sessions are $25 per 15 minutes.
Therapy evaluations are required and the cost is $125.00.
PALS will not file insurance claims for clients.  Clients are responsible for paying at the time of service and for submitting the appropriate claim forms to their insurance for reimbursement for the payments they have made

Program fees are not tax deductible.

** Ask about our scholarship program. **

Weight: In order to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, horses and riders; PALS has a weight restriction for riders of 180 pounds. All riders will be evaluated to determine if therapeutic riding is a safe and appropriate activity, and if PALS can safely provide lessons to that individual.

If a person wants to ride and weighs between 180 – 200 pounds, they may request an additional evaluation from both the Head Instructor & Executive Director. The evaluation will determine, based on the following criteria, whether riding at PALS is safe for the rider, and if PALS can provide adequate support to ensure that safety. These criteria include: ability to walk without support, ability to independently balance on the horse without sidewalker support, and ability to mount and dismount horse with minimal assistance from instructor. In addition to the above criteria, PALS may consider a rider ineligible if there is not an appropriate horse for this individual to ride and/or the proper staff and volunteer support to ensure that everyone is safe.

PALS reserves the right to request a re-evaluation of a rider from both the Head Instructor & Executive Director if a rider, after entering the program, exceeds the weight limitation. The above criteria must apply prior to the re-evaluation.

PALS can not accept riders over the weight of 200 pounds. There are no exceptions to this rule.

Age: Because of safety standards that PALS follows we can accept riders aged 4 years and older for therapeutic riding and riders aged 2 years and older for hippotherapy.

Assessment: All riders will be assessed by a by a NARHA Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor or PALS Physical/Occupational Therapist to determine if therapeutic riding or hippotherapy is a safe and appropriate activity, and if PALS can safely provide lessons to that individual. Riders may not be accepted to ride at PALS if the Head Instructor and/or Executive Director feel for ANY reason that riding at PALS is unsafe for the rider, PALS staff, and/or volunteers; or if PALS does not have an appropriate horse to meet the rider’s needs.

If you are interested in riding at PALS, or know someone who may benefit from the therapeutic riding, please contact PALS at 812-336-2798 or email us. We will then send a packet of information, which needs to be completed prior to enrollment. We look forward to hearing from you and meeting you in the arena!

Yes, PALS also offers recreational riding lessons (individuals without disabilities)!!!!!

Summary of Fees for Participants:

Group Lessons (45 minutes) or Private Lessons (30 minutes) cost $ 30.00 per lesson
Payments are due in full at the beginning of a session unless other arrangements are made with PALS

Program fees are not tax deductible.

Recreational Lesson Policies:

Weight: In order to insure the safety of our staff, horses and students, we cannot accept people over 180 lbs.

Age: We can accept students aged 6 years and older.

If you are interested in riding at PALS please contact PALS at 812-336-2798 or email us. We will send you a packet of information which needs to be completed prior to enrollment. We look forward to hearing from you and meeting you in the arena!