Parent and Student Information

Therapeutic Riding Program

The Therapeutic Riding Program at the University of New Hampshire accepts both children and adults with physical, cognitive and / or emotional disabilities to participate in classes both on and off the horse.

Classes are open to students 5-years and older.  Riding classes have a weight limit of 150lbs per rider.  Riders (and those enrolled in our non-mounted Horsemanship program) will register for one of our sessions which are generally 5-6 weeks long.  The rider will come once a week at a designated lesson time of 45-minute duration for those 5-6 weeks.  We run sessions in the Fall, Spring and Summer.  Classes are held in an indoor arena and are held rain or shine.  The last class of every session we have a horse show during their regular class time.

Registration for each session is held a few months before the start date and is done online.  We will publish the date that preregistration begins on our home page.  Clients will preregister first and will receive all paperwork necessary to complete the registration process if/ when they are fit into a class.  Filling out the preregistration online does NOT guarantee a spot.  All submitted applications must be approved and class days and times assigned by the program director.  Applications will not be accepted through the mail or in person.  If you are unable to complete the online application for any reason, please email cindy.burke@unh.edu or call the program office at 603-862-0131.  Every effort is made to group lessons by age and ability.  Please note that due to the high demand for classes we fill up VERY quickly.  Several weeks after preregistration you will receive notification of whether you have made it into class or are on the waitlist.  If you've made it into class, you will receive a packet of forms through email to be filled out and will then make an orientation appointment.  Waitlisted students are on the waitlist for THIS SESSION only and will be notified if a spot becomes available.