Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs
Aiken, South Carolina
Great Oak Equine Assisted Programs is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a 40-acre farm about five minutes from downtown Aiken, South Carolina. It is a PATH International Member Center offering adaptive horsemanship lessons, equine-assisted learning, a Special Olympics equestrian team and a summer camp. Its riding programs serve children and adults with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.
- Adaptive horsemanship (mounted riding and groundwork)
- Special Olympics equestrian team
- Equine-assisted learning
- Field trips and corporate team-building
- Silver Saddles riding program for mature women
- Children's summer camp
- Children and adults with disabilities
- Riders age 4 and older
- Special Olympics athletes
- School and community groups
- Businesses and corporate teams
- Mature women riders
More about this center
About the Program
Adaptive horsemanship lessons are taught by PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors and combine mounted riding with unmounted groundwork such as grooming and leading. According to its website, lesson goals include flexibility, balance and core strength, along with communication, confidence and social well-being. This is what is often called therapeutic riding.
Great Oak is home to the Special Olympics South Carolina Area-15 Equestrian Team, which gives adaptive horsemanship riders a chance to compete. Its equine-assisted learning program, offered as field trips and corporate team-building, uses groundwork to teach boundaries, communication, self-awareness and leadership, and is tailored to each group's age and goals. Silver Saddles is a 6-week program for mature women, with groups of up to three riders, focused on balance, coordination, flexibility and strength. The summer camp offers children horsemanship, riding lessons, games and crafts.
Getting Started
Families start by downloading the Participant Handbook and submitting the registration forms, after which staff contact them to schedule a screening session. A formal referral is not required. The center runs year-round, with 20-week spring and fall sessions and an 8-week summer session, and riders come at the same day and time each week.
Lessons are $40 each, as listed on the center's FAQ page. Scholarships are available, and families who need help with the cost can apply using the center's financial assistance application. Therapeutic riding is not billed to insurance.
The Horses and Staff
Eva Finnan, the CEO, is a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and the center says all of its instructors hold that certification. Deborah McWhirter manages equine services, and the team also includes a manager of volunteer services and a business manager. Great Oak traces its roots to STAR Riding (Specialized Therapeutic and Recreational Riding) and says it has served more than 800 individuals over a five-year span.
Volunteering
Volunteers age 14 and up help in lessons, and younger children can join Pony Pals. Families can take part through monthly farm days or as weekly "GO" Getters, and groups can arrange service projects through the volunteer office.
Location
Great Oak is at 1123 Edgefield Highway, Aiken, SC 29801, on a 40-acre farm about five minutes from downtown Aiken. Its mailing address is P.O. Box 1288, Aiken, SC 29802.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do we sign up for riding lessons?
Download the Participant Handbook from the Programs page and submit the registration forms. Staff will then contact you to schedule a screening session. For riding questions, email eva@greatoakeap.org or call (803) 226-0056.
What ages can ride?
Riders age 4 and older with physical, cognitive or emotional challenges are eligible, after a screening session.
How much do lessons cost?
The center lists lessons at $40 each. Scholarships are available, and families who need help with the cost can apply. Insurance is not billed.
Location
Aiken, South Carolina 29801
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.