An Equine Program Serving Individuals With Special Needs

Important

Please remember to call if you are going to be late or absent so we can plan our horses accordingly.
No call... no makeup!

Remember

No one will be allowed to ride with any type of open toe shoes or shorts. If you have questions regarding appropriate clothing or footwear, please contact the program director in advance.

Please use the restroom before the program begins.
No food or drink permitted in the arena.

My SHINE Program is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

 

My SHINE Program

Riding accomodating a variety of ages and skill levels

Horse Friendly atmosphere

Important Information:

Spring session starting March 12...

Complete 2012 Spring Schedule is now available online. Click here for details.

All current volunteers are entitled to attend a FREE riding lesson on Wednesday afternoons at 3:45 with Pam. This class is limited to 5 riders and you must call in advance to secure your spot.

 

Photos from our 2011 show are available online.
Visit our photos page.

My SHINE

SHINE - Special Horses Instructing Noble Equestrians - is an equine program serving individuals with special needs.

We are currently operating at Sweet Hills Riding Stable, just off Rt 110 in Western Suffolk County. This central location is convenient to both Nassau and Suffolk counties.

We can accommodate individuals from 3-103 years old and work with a variety of special needs from developmental to various physical disabilities.

Our goal is to introduce riders to the special bond they can have with horses.

If you would like more information or to see if this program may be appropriate, please contact us today.

 

About us...

My SHINE Program started in November, 2006. We started originally with eight individuals riding in our program and have grown to over 80!! There have been over 150 individuals involved with SHINE over the past five years.

Clientele

Our riders consist of individuals on the Autism Spectrum, Down Syndrome, Fragile X-Syndrome, mild forms of Cerebral Palsy, learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD, emotionally fragile, hearing and vision impaired, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, and low muscle tone.

Program Description

We offer group, private and semi-private lessons.

Each half hour group lesson has a maximum of six individuals with two instructors. The lead instructor teaches the class from the center of the ring. Each rider has a lead walker and if needed, one or two side walkers depending on the student.

Staff

We currently have four NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) certified instructors and several instructors in training. There is a director, who schedules all lessons and collects payments and processes all paperwork. Our program would not run without the help of our dedicated volunteers. There are approximately 25 volunteers that help us on a consistent basis. All of our volunteers attend an orientation to train them as either a lead walker or side walker.