Location: Petoskey, Michigan, United States
Note: Online references for this center are limited, and available details may be outdated. Recent mentions suggest the program was active in 2023 and 2024, but current operations and contact information could not be fully verified.
Exceptional Riders Program Inc. is an equine-assisted program in Petoskey, Michigan, where therapeutic riding is paired with practical horse experience in a welcoming, supportive setting. The program includes therapeutic riding, grooming and tacking, and equine facilitated experiential learning, giving participants the chance to connect with horses in ways that go beyond the ride itself.
What stands out here is the broad, inclusive nature of the program. It serves children, teens, and individuals with a wide range of physical, developmental, emotional, behavioral, and sensory needs. The overall feel is one of flexibility and care, with horse-centered activities that help participants build confidence, familiarity, and comfort through steady, hands-on experience.
About This Program
Exceptional Riders Program Inc. offers a combination of therapeutic riding, grooming and tacking, and equine facilitated experiential learning. The program gives participants the opportunity to work with horses both in and out of the saddle, creating a more complete experience that includes riding, horse care, and meaningful interaction.
The approach feels practical and supportive rather than overly formal. Time with the horse is not limited to mounted work alone. Participants are also able to learn through grooming, handling, and direct engagement, which helps build trust, confidence, and a stronger sense of connection.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic riding
- Equine facilitated experiential learning
- Grooming and tacking
Who They Serve
Exceptional Riders Program Inc. may be a good fit for:
- Children with disabilities
- Teens with disabilities
- Individuals with ADD or other hyperactivity disorder
- At-risk youth
- Individuals with autism
- Individuals with cerebral palsy
- Individuals with developmental delay or disability
- Individuals with Down syndrome
- Individuals with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs
- Individuals with head trauma or brain injury
- Individuals with hearing impairment
- Individuals with intellectual disability
- Individuals with learning disability
- Individuals with speech impairment
- Individuals with visual impairment
- Individuals with weight control disorders
Facility and Setting
Exceptional Riders Program Inc. is based in Petoskey, Michigan, in a horse-centered setting where participants can take part in both riding and unmounted activities. The environment supports more than just lessons in the saddle. It also makes room for grooming, tacking, and other forms of horse interaction that help participants become more comfortable and engaged.
The setting feels hands-on and experience-based. Because participants are able to spend time with horses in different ways, the program offers a broader kind of learning experience that can support both skill development and personal growth.
What Makes Them Unique
One of the things that makes Exceptional Riders Program Inc. stand out is the combination of therapeutic riding with equine facilitated experiential learning. That creates an experience that is not only about learning to ride, but also about building confidence, awareness, and connection through time with horses.
Another thing that makes the program distinctive is the wide range of individuals it serves. By welcoming participants with many different needs and backgrounds, the program offers a more inclusive environment that can meet families where they are and provide horse-based experiences that feel supportive and accessible.