Welcome to Pegasus!

Welcome to Pegasus! Our mission is to enhance the lives of individuals who have disabilities and other challenges through equine-assisted activities and education.

 

Located in Brewster, NY, Pegasus Therapeutic Riding was established in 1975 and became one of the first therapeutic equestrian centers in the USA built to serve people with special needs. Since 1975 our definition of who a person with special needs is has expanded. In the beginning, our programs were focused on traditional therapeutic riding for children with physical disabilities. Today, while we still serve children and adults with physical disabilities, we have expanded our definition of special needs to include those of all ages on the autism spectrum and other cognitive and emotional disabilities.

Pegasus also provides programs to individuals at risk, disadvantaged youth, and trauma survivors, including Veterans and First Responders.

 

Our core programs include Therapeutic Riding, Therapeutic Horsemanship and Therapeutic Horsemanship for PTSD & Trauma. 

 

Therapeutic riding offers physical benefits by mimicking human gait, helping riders improve core strength, motor skills, posture, balance, coordination, flexibility, and mobility. It provides freedom of movement for those with limited ambulation and treats riders as athletes. Cognitive benefits include sensory integration, spatial and body awareness, impulse control, communication, and focus, contributing to success at home, school, and work. Social-emotional gains involve confidence, anxiety reduction, socialization, emotional regulation, self-esteem, empathy, independence, and empowerment, fostering friendships and well-being. The program emphasizes experiential learning, tailoring challenges to individual needs, and is led by PATH-certified instructors and volunteers in a safe, supportive environment.

 

Pegasus Therapeutic Horsemanship is an unmounted program designed to empower participants with physical, cognitive, and social-emotional challenges through enriching activities centered on the restorative power of horses. PATH-certified instructors use experiential activities like bonding, grooming, and leading to promote growth and learning in a safe, supportive environment. These horsemanship skills are transferrable to everyday life and can have life-changing outcomes, with support from highly trained volunteers.

Cognitive benefits include improved motor planning, sequencing, safety awareness, impulse control, attention, and sensory integration. Physical benefits focus on coordination, balance, core strength, flexibility, and motor skills. Social-emotional gains involve confidence, anxiety reduction, emotional regulation, self-esteem, coping skills, and connection. Programs are often group-based, fostering social connection, with challenges tailored to meet participants’ needs for growth and success.

 

Pegasus Therapeutic Horsemanship for PTSD & Trauma is an unmounted program that uses the power of horses to help individuals manage stress, reduce anxiety, regulate emotions, and promote well-being. Horses teach us how to be present, listen actively, communicate clearly, set healthy boundaries and respect those of others, set intention, regulate energy, recognize and respond to emotions, be congruent and authentic, and live in the moment. Research shows that equine-assisted services for PTSD and trauma can lower heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels, while increasing oxytocin (connection), serotonin (happiness), dopamine (motivation), and releasing endorphins that reduce stress and relieve pain, along with creating new neural pathways.

 

Volunteers are the heart of Pegasus. Without their dedication, loyalty, and hard work, it would not be possible for us to fulfill our mission. Pegasus offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities, some requiring horse experience, but many do not.

 

Want to learn more about our programs and mission? Visit us at https://pegasustr.org/ or email us at info@pegasustr.org.