We Can Ride, founded in 1982, offers therapeutic horseback riding and carriage driving to adults and children living with disabilities. We Can Ride is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and a Premier Accredited member of North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). We Can Ride follows strict operating standards to provide reputable, safe, and enjoyable therapeutic riding.

We Can Ride currently has four facilities, with more opening soon: Hennepin County Home School in Minnetonka, MN Woodpecker Woods in Delano, MN East Wind Farm in Marine On St. Croix, MN University of Minnesota in St. Paul, MN - Now Open!

Throughout the world, horseback riding is considered a uniquely beneficial form of therapy for individuals living with disabilities. A horse's gait, similar to the human walk, helps strengthen spine and pelvic muscles, improves posture and coordination, and increases joint mobility. Whether being ridden or driven, horses allow people living with disabilities to travel with ease to places wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers cannot take them.

Beyond the tangible benefits, horseback riding grants a newfound freedom. Riding a horse presents a combination of new sounds and sensations. Whether the disability is physical, cognitive, behavioral, or emotional, the individual's accomplishments of mounting and riding provide a tremendous boost to confidence and self worth.

Individuals with cognitive disabilities benefit from the discipline and concentration required to master riding on and relating to horses. This special bond and personal growth can help these individuals to think, dream, and perceive of themselves in new ways.

Any person with a physical or cognitive disability is welcome to apply for the program. All clients receive a personal evaluation from a program instructor and a physical or occupational therapist, who continue to monitor progress and develop plans for further improvement. Classes are conducted by NARHA certified instructors who are assisted by volunteers. Clients are placed in classes based on their age, riding experience, and then disability.

We Can Ride's current and future objectives include:

• Provide individualized therapy for each client.
• Offer more classes during the riding season to shorten waiting list.
• Expand the availability of therapeutic riding through additional riding sites.
• Maintain NARHA accreditation.
• Educate the community to the benefits therapeutic riding.
• Establish programs within area school districts.
• Teach at-risk children barn-management, volunteer, and leadership skills.

We Can Ride educates the community through presentations made to local organizations and service groups. Demonstrations at major equine events allow the opportunity to introduce therapeutic riding and carriage driving to the public. We also utilize public service announcements and newspaper articles to further promote therapeutic riding.

Our waiting list continues to grow and currently has over 100 individuals hoping for a class opening. Our need for further program expansion is evident.

We Can Ride's funding comes from membership fees, individual donations, fund-raising events, foundation grants, and contributions made by corporations and service organizations.

We Can Ride is a Premier Accredited Member Center with NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association)