Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy, Inc.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on Bustleton Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia that has used horses to help people with disabilities since 1982. It offers weekly therapeutic riding lessons for children and adults, along with programs for children with autism, adult riders and children of first responders.
- Weekly therapeutic riding lessons (group and private)
- PEACE (Pegasus Equine Autism Challenge & Enrichment)
- Back in the Tack adult riding program
- Stepping Forward equine-assisted learning
- 4-H 4 All (unmounted)
- Minis on the Move (unmounted)
- Six-week summer program
- Scholarships
- Children and adults with disabilities
- Children with autism
- Adults 18 and over
- Children of first responders
- School-age children
- People with intellectual and developmental disabilities
More about this center
About the Program
Pegasus describes itself as a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center and the only therapeutic riding program in the City of Philadelphia. It says it serves more than 100 riders each week, year-round, and that lessons are taught by PATH-certified instructors.
PEACE is a Monday-evening program for children on the autism spectrum, with Level I to III classes that focus on communication, social interaction, sensory integration and behavior. Back in the Tack is a year-round riding program for adults 18 and over, with one-hour group lessons and 30-minute private lessons, and no riding experience is needed. Stepping Forward is an equine-assisted learning program that teaches stress-coping skills to children whose parents are first responders.
4-H 4 All is a monthly unmounted 4-H program for school-age children. Minis on the Move is an unmounted equine-assisted learning program run with Shared Wellness in Bucks County for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The summer program runs for six weeks in July and August and lets new riders try therapeutic riding without joining the waitlist.
Volunteering
Volunteers must be at least 14 and attend an orientation and training session. Everyone starts as a side-walker, keeping riders safe, and volunteers also groom, tack and feed horses and help keep the barn and arenas tidy. After three months, volunteers can train as horse handlers. Volunteers 18 and older need the Pennsylvania child abuse and criminal history clearances. The volunteer coordinator can be reached at volunteercoordinator@pegasusphilly.org or (215) 742-1500, ext. 102.
Leadership
Teresa Fletcher is the executive director.
Location
Pegasus is at 8297 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19152, at the corner of Bustleton Avenue and Strahle Street across from Bells Corner Shopping Center. SEPTA's Route 58 bus stops at Bustleton and Strahle. Pennsylvania 211 lists its service area as Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties.
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 I sign up for lessons?
Registration and medical forms are on the Pegasus website. You can also call (215) 742-1500 or email Teresa@PegasusPhilly.org.
How much do lessons cost?
Fees vary by program; call (215) 742-1500 for current rates. Scholarships are available, and families who need help with the cost can apply. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
Do adults need riding experience to join Back in the Tack?
No. The program is for adults 18 and over, and no experience is required.
How old do volunteers need to be?
Volunteers must be at least 14 years old.
Location
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19152
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.