Sebastian Riding Associates

About the Program

Therapeutic riding lessons are private and run one hour, including grooming and tacking up the horse. Riders who can't do those tasks may start with a half-hour, ride-only lesson on a physical therapist's recommendation, with the aim of moving up to the full hour. Lessons follow twelve-week sessions, each with set objectives.

In hippotherapy sessions, students work with one of SRA's physical therapists, using the horse's movement to build motor function and sensory processing that carry over to daily activities. Groundschool is an unmounted educational and vocational program for students of all abilities, where students pick topics such as grooming, horse sense, equine first aid and leading.

Riding Free is a 12-week curriculum for adolescents with PTSD, developed by Dené Mitchell, M.P.H., as her master's thesis at Arcadia University. Its goals include trust, relationship skills, self-confidence and autonomy. Intro to Horses is an unmounted program for community organizations covering horse body language, grooming and leading a horse through an obstacle course. The summer riding day camp is open to therapeutic riders and their siblings, with three weeks of camp and up to ten campers per week.

The Horses and Staff

All of SRA's instructors are certified therapeutic riding instructors through PATH Intl. or are completing certification, and that all staff have completed First Aid and CPR training. Its staff includes three physical therapists (Rachel Mandel, MPT; Meg Kotes, MPT; and Janet Graham, MSPT). Kendra Bonner is the general manager and Eva Kaeten is the office manager.

The Our Stable page introduces the center's horses, and supporters can sponsor a horse.

History and Volunteering

SRA has been a tax-exempt nonprofit since 1975 and marked its 50th anniversary in 2025.

Volunteers assist in lessons as horse leaders and sidewalkers, care for the horses, help with barn chores and property maintenance, and work at special events. No experience is needed. Volunteers must be at least 14, and those over 18 need Pennsylvania background clearances. New volunteers commit to a regular weekly or every-other-week shift, complete an orientation and safety class, and can email Eva@sebastianriding.org to schedule it.

Location

Sebastian Riding Associates is at 3589 Water Street Road, Collegeville, PA 19426. The center is open seven days a week, and most lessons are held on evenings and weekends.