The Pegasus mission is to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities and challenges through equine assisted activities and education.

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding was founded in 1975 and became one of the first therapeutic equestrian centers in the USA built to serve people with special needs. Since 1975 our definition of who a person with special needs is has expanded. In the beginning, our programs were focused on traditional therapeutic riding for children with physical disabilities. Today, while we still serve children and adults with physical disabilities, we have expanded our definition of special needs to include those of all ages on the autism spectrum and other cognitive and emotional disabilities. We also provide programs to individuals at risk, disadvantaged youth, and trauma survivors, including Veterans and First Responders.

This Giving Tuesday we want to share three powerful Pegasus stories with you.

Hondo- In fall of 2021, we were lucky enough to have Hondo, a retired race horse, join our Pegasus herd. Hondo came to us from another wonderful nonprofit, the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation. Hondo is sweet, mellow and social guy who has been an invaluable part of our team. Last November, Hondo suffered an eye injury. Our incredible barn staff worked closely with our veterinarian to help him heal. While we did everything we could to save his eye, complications arose and it was determined that it was in Hondo’s best interest to move forward with surgery to remove the eye.

While this was sad news, Hondo recovered with the help of our wonderful barn and veterinarian teams. Hondo's resilience has been inspiring to our participants, staff and volunteers. Hondo's recovery is a beautiful example of how Pegasus continues to be a place where anyone can thrive, no matter their differences or capabilities.

Hondo is back working in our therapeutic horsemanship, therapeutic riding programs. We are so proud of his progress, bravery and ability to persevere.

Hondo is an incredible example to many of our participants. His story shows them that no matter what you go through, your health challenges, or if you're different than you used to be, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Zahra- There is no better way to understand the life changing programs we offer than to hear directly from our participants and their families. Watch the video above and learn about our Therapeutic Riding participant, Zahra, and how being a Pegasus rider has impacted her.

Diane- Diane's long history with Pegasus began in 2002 when she first began as a volunteer. By 2011, Diane began working with Pegasus as an instructor, and for the past two years has expanded her role to Instructor and Volunteer Coordinator.

The best way to understand Diane's story, and how our mission has impacted her is to hear it directly from her-

"As an instructor at Pegasus, I get to find joy and peace in a dirt arena with horses and riders on a weekly basis. I get to meet the most fascinating Veterans and First Responders through our trauma-informed program that I have the privilege of facilitating with the horses as partners. I am inspired regularly by the leadership here, who create exciting opportunities for learning and growth on a professional level.

But honestly, the biggest impact that my instructor role here at Pegasus has had on my personal life is how it helped me through a very difficult life challenge. I experienced a personal tragedy in 2021 that I could never have imagined. My husband of 29 years passed away suddenly and unexpectedly, leaving me reeling in grief and uncertainty. The immediate support I received from co-workers and volunteers impacts me to this day. I was immediately supported and uplifted by this Pegasus family.

When I was ready to visit the farm and have some horse time, I was drawn to just stand in a stall, lay my hands on that horse and just breathe. When I was ready to return to teaching and facilitating, I drew on my training and remembered to stay present in the moment, cry if I had to, and do the best job I could to bring our participants to new levels of skill, confidence and joy.

Instructing at Pegasus has made me remember that we are all going through hard things, but “we can do hard things” together and that the horses are a necessary part of finding healing in my body and spirit after trauma. Just look at any of our riders who get on a 1000 lb animal and accomplish the seemingly impossible on a regular basis and you will be inspired to persevere too!

I know that if I did not have this privilege of working at Pegasus with horses and people with diverse needs and challenges of their own, I would not have found my feet on the ground with a renewed strength and purpose as quickly as I am."

Help Build Horsepower - Giving Tuesday 2023

By Pegasus Therapeutic Riding, Inc

Help Build Horsepower - Giving Tuesday 2023