Riders

PETS is a skill-based horseback riding program that provides riders with many benefits. Used as a recreational therapy, horseback riding has proven effective in dealing with:

Autism
Cerebral Palsy
Down Syndrome
Learning Disabilities
Developmental Disabilities
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy

Other handicaps

Through riding, students can improve or develop their:

Attention Span
Balance
Coordination
Emotions
Listening Skills
Muscle Strength
Muscle Tone
Self Esteem

PETS calls our riders “students” since we focus on creating a safe learning environment – inside and outside of the ring – and are always learning. Students begin the process by contacting PETS to learn specific details of the screening process and required documentation.

It is important that once necessary requirements are met, the student (as well as parent, friend or care-giver) understand important lesson basics:

Call the barn ASAP if you will be late or unable to attend your lesson.
Arrive 15 minutes prior to your lesson for warm-up exercises and mounting preparation.
Be properly dressed; long pants, hard toe/sole shoes; no dangling jewelry.
Follow all instructor directions.
Participate, if at all physically possible, in cleanup at the end of your lesson.

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At this time there is a current waitlist for participants for the 2024 riding season. If you would like to be added to this wait list, please fill out the information form below and send it back to us..

We are looking for volunteers and horses. During July and August 2023, we will be training our current horses and volunteers for 2024 programming.

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What if it is too hot? What if it is raining?

Bad weather is hard to predict. Given that many of our students come from different parts of the county we understand that while it may be dark and pouring in College Park, it can be sunny in Upper Marlboro. Our general weather rules are:

If you believe your disability will be hard to manage due to the weather, please call the barn ASAP to let us know you will not be attending your lesson.
In case of severe weather you will be notified if all barn activities are cancelled as soon as possible. We follow WTOP/WJLA and their weather updates. Follow PETS on Facebook for weather and other updates.
Expect to have a barn lesson if light rain or high heat index prohibits riding. Our instructors have many lesson plans available that don’t include riding.
Horse care is a constant, daily responsibility. Just because riding might be cancelled doesn’t mean that we can’t use your help with horse and barn care. Some of these duties can help with your development and offer a way you can give back to PETS for what we provide to you.
Stay hydrated. The best time to start drinking water before your riding lesson is as soon as you wake up – not when you get to the barn. Water is always provided, but smart hydration takes place at the beginning of each hot, sunny day.

Our program is run 100% by volunteers who choose to give you their valuable time. Please make the best use of that time by coming prepared.