GallopNYC
Howard Beach, New York
GallopNYC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses therapeutic horsemanship to help New York City riders with disabilities "walk, talk and learn." It runs lessons at Sunrise Stables in Howard Beach, Queens, and at Prospect Park in Brooklyn. The organization says it serves more than 450 people each week, including children, adults, seniors and veterans.
- Therapeutic riding
- Hippotherapy with a physical therapist
- Riding for Veterans (free)
- Veterans Groundwork Program (unmounted)
- Silver Saddles for seniors
- Recreational riding lessons
- Job skills program
- Summer camp and Pony Club
- Children (riding from age 4, with occasional exceptions; hippotherapy from 18 months)
- Adults and seniors
- People with developmental and learning disabilities
- Autistic children and adults
- People with cerebral palsy or MS
- People with trauma or PTSD
- Veterans and their families
- Riders without disabilities
More about this center
About the Program
GallopNYC was founded in 2005 by Alicia Kershaw with a group of volunteers and supporters, and it describes itself as New York City's largest therapeutic equine-assisted nonprofit. Its legal name is Giving Alternative Learners Uplifting Opportunities Inc.
Therapeutic riding lessons are 30 minutes long, usually in groups of up to three riders, with private lessons also available. They are taught by a PATH Intl. certified instructor, and trainee instructors may co-teach under supervision. Lessons may also cover care of the horse and equipment, how to lead and horse vocabulary. Staff set goals for each rider every session and track progress weekly.
Hippotherapy is one-on-one with an independent physical therapist trained in hippotherapy who works with GallopNYC. School and agency groups can ride on a limited schedule, on weekdays from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm when available.
Veterans
Through PATH Intl.'s Equine Assisted Services for Heroes program, GallopNYC offers Riding for Veterans, where veterans and their families groom, lead and ride horses at no cost, with no riding experience needed. A Friday morning Groundwork Program lets veterans who prefer not to ride groom and lead horses instead. See our guide to equine therapy for veterans.
Getting Started
Filling out the Prospective Rider Form on the GallopNYC website places a rider on the waiting list. Programs run in quarterly terms, and spots are offered in the order riders signed up. Riders who can travel to more than one location may get a spot sooner.
A doctor must sign a medical form before riding, and riders with physical disabilities may be evaluated by GallopNYC's physical therapist. Riders must be able to sit upright on the horse. The weight limit is 180 pounds for balanced, independent riders and 150 pounds for riders who need significant physical support. Helmets are provided at no cost.
GallopNYC says it offers therapeutic horsemanship regardless of a rider's ability to pay, and families can ask about help with the cost at scheduling@gallopnyc.org.
Location
Sunrise Stables, 80-98 Linden Blvd., Howard Beach, NY 11414, sits in NYC Parks' Gemini Fields and hosts therapeutic and recreational riding in a large outdoor arena. At Prospect Park in Brooklyn, ponies are trailered in for therapeutic riding and hippotherapy on the Bowling Green (Parade Grounds), in a gated area near Caton Ave. and Coney Island Ave. The mailing address is 16004 Crossbay Blvd, Box No. 256, Howard Beach, NY 11414.
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 therapeutic riding at GallopNYC?
Complete the Prospective Rider Form on the GallopNYC website to join the waiting list.
How much do lessons cost?
The website lists a 30-minute group lesson at $80, or $72 when paid upfront, and a private lesson is $100, plus a $15 processing fee each term. Riding for Veterans is free for veterans and their families.
Location
Howard Beach, New York 11414
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.