PEGASUS RIDING ACADEMY FOR THE HANDICAPPED is a place where children and adults of all ages and all types of handicaps can come for medically approved equine therapy (exercises while riding a horse). The walking motion of the horses body against human legs, massages all of muscles used in the human walk and is an inspiring and exciting experience for those whose life is spent in a wheelchair.

Each rider is gently eased into a program of therapy geared to the needs of physically impaired people to help them develop usable muscles and joints. Immobility causes good muscles to atrophy which leads to further problems for a handicapped person. At Pegasus we try to strengthen muscles and joints by these exercises. All Pegasus volunteers working with riders receive special training for this work and must have the patience and sensitivity to do it.

Other important aspects of our program are the psychological and emotional benefits derived from horse back riding. Learning to concentrate and the discipline of following directions are extremely beneficial to our riders. Controlling and steering a large animal gives emotionally impaired riders a sense of empowerment necessary to improving self-image. Many riders have difficulty bonding with humans but are able to develop trust and confidence by bonding with a horse. Methods have been developed to make all riders feel a sense of accomplishment by achieving goals. At Pegasus we look to the ABILITY a person has rather than the DISABILITY. At Pegasus we believe everyone is worthy and we know that MIRACLES DO HAPPEN, we see them every time we take a person out of a wheel chair and put them on a horse. Pegasus is a labor of love for all concerned.

At Pegasus we know...
The secret of success is to try,
The secret of love is to love,
The secret of life is to live.

Lori Sarner, Instructor   
Program Director    

Students from the valley's schools volunteer at our events. Pegasus provides letters of community service for their college applications. Pictured here are students from Palm Desert, Cathedral City and La Quinta High Schools, Honor Society and Kiwanis Sponsored Key Clubs. If you have Questions about student volunteers please E-mail Us at: info@pegasusridingacademy.org