Retired Racehorses

SARATOGA THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN PROGRAM
STEP is a therapeutic riding program devoted to improving the physical and psychosocial life of
special needs children and adults using the horse as a therapy tool. STEP has been providing its
services to the surrounding Capital District children and adults with special needs since 1986 in
Glenville, NY. STEP has an all volunteer staff that maintains the facility and its ten horses year round.
Volunteers train the horses, other volunteers, teach lessons, build trail systems, work with community
service groups, assist therapists and instructors, and market and develop programs, while maintaining
the business of STEP at the facility.
Ninety-six percent of all revenues obtained for the program are applied directly to the program
expenses with less than four percent going towards administrative and fundraising. All administrative
and professional services are provided on a volunteer basis with support from the general public
community, volunteers and clients of STEP who donate all fundraising expenses.
STEP provides an outlet for community service groups, individuals, benevolent organizations, school
groups, college groups, church youth groups, girl scouts, boy scouts and corporate groups. They help
year round through special projects at STEP.
Clients Physical Benefits: At STEP the horses and volunteers help riders with the physical therapist
to meet important physical therapy goals. The horse’s body warmth and forward movement
“exercise” the rider by stimulating unused, contracted, or spastic muscles. In addition, our
developmental riding therapy program can improve gross and fine motor skills, posture, balance,
equilibrium, and muscle tone; it also can enhance body awareness and perceptual skills in activities of
daily living. Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) demonstrate increased cognition, processing,
stability, and improved socialization with increased physical improvements.
Psychosocial Benefits: The relationship between the rider and the horse, combined with the skill and
discipline required for riding promotes an improved self-image and longer attention span. Focused and
appropriate behavior for the activity and perhaps most important, a sense of self-confidence and
achievement through a controlled and safe “risk taking” activity creates benefits. Social interaction is
an integral part of our program. Our riders participate in horse shows and special events to help them
to be an integral part of our surrounding community and to level the playing field between the ablebodied
and those with special needs.
Volunteer Benefits:
Gain job skills and experience both horse and non-horse related
Learn the value of being needed
Promote understanding of special needs individuals
Give individual attention to participants in the community
Obtain education opportunities
Gain confidence in self and others-teamwork
Develop professional work habits, references and job experience
Organization: Saratoga Therapeutic Equestrian Program, Inc. (STEP) is a not-for profit organization
incorporated in 1986 under the laws of the State of New York and is exempt from federal income