Location: Talladega, Alabama, United States
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) Foundation supports the Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrians program in Talladega, Alabama, which provides equine-assisted services for AIDB students.
The program includes therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, equine-facilitated learning, equine-facilitated mental health, equine-facilitated psychotherapy, speech therapy, riders club, and trail rides.
About This Program
The Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrians program is part of Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind and is supported through Foundation funding. The program is designed to help students improve balance, posture, motor skills, verbal skills, self-esteem, confidence, and independence through structured work with horses.
The program has served AIDB students for decades and offers a broad mix of mounted, therapy-based, and learning-based equine activities. Public reporting in 2025 described it as serving hundreds of children each year, including students who are deaf, blind, deafblind, or living with multiple disabilities.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic riding
- Hippotherapy
- Equine-facilitated learning
- Equine-facilitated mental health
- Equine-facilitated psychotherapy
- Speech therapy
- Riders club
- Trail rides
- Work experience programming
Who They Serve
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation may be a good fit for:
- Students at Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind
- Children with blindness or low vision
- Children with deafness or hearing loss
- Students who are deafblind
- Children with multiple disabilities
- Students who benefit from therapy-based and horse-based learning experiences
Facility and Setting
The program operates in Talladega, Alabama, at the Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrians facility. It is part of AIDB’s broader health and clinical services environment and uses therapy horses selected for their movement and temperament to support participant needs.
- Talladega, Alabama location
- Specialized equestrian program for AIDB students
- Therapy horses selected for therapeutic suitability
- Connected to AIDB health and clinical services
- Foundation-supported program
What Makes Them Unique
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Foundation stands out because it supports a specialized equine program built specifically for AIDB students rather than a general public riding center. The Marianna Greene Henry Special Equestrians program combines therapeutic riding with clinical, educational, and mental health services in one setting.
The program also has a long history and a strong connection to AIDB’s statewide mission of serving individuals with hearing and vision loss. Foundation support helps fund horses, facilities, and services that go beyond basic state funding.