Location: Bradenton, Florida, United States
Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, also known as SMART, is a nonprofit equine-assisted services center in Bradenton, Florida. Founded in 1987, it empowers children and adults with special needs through therapeutic horse-related programs designed to improve quality of life, independence, and inclusion.
Its services go beyond therapeutic riding alone and reflect a broader equine-assisted model. SMART offers therapeutic horseback riding, carriage driving, and equine-assisted activities, with participants learning horsemanship skills such as grooming, tacking, riding, and horse care. The program serves individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities, including developmental disabilities and Down syndrome.
SMART operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit at 4640 County Road 675 in Bradenton and is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center. Its work is centered on respectful horse and human partnerships that support growth, confidence, and functional development in a structured equine setting.
Key Details:
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Services: Therapeutic horseback riding, carriage driving, equine-assisted activities, grooming, tacking, and horsemanship training
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Who they serve: Children and adults with physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities
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Notable programs: Therapeutic riding, carriage driving, and all-encompassing horsemanship instruction
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Facility or setting: Nonprofit equine-assisted services center in Bradenton
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Certifications or credentials: 501(c)(3) nonprofit; PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center
Last Verified: March 13, 2026.