TaKE Center

About the Program

TaKE Center says its hippotherapy is a physical therapy session on a horse, not a riding lesson. The horse's movement is used to work on strength, posture, balance, gait, sensory processing, motor planning and attention. Sessions are led by Terri Long, MPT, a licensed physical therapist with more than 25 years of experience, and her team. The center lists memberships in the American Hippotherapy Association and PATH Intl.

Therapeutic riding is a separate, recreational program taught by riding instructors with help from volunteers. It focuses on riding position and rein skills and is offered as private, semi-private or group lessons. Sessions can include grooming, tacking, work in the ring and rides on the center's sensory trail.

The center also leads the local 4-H club, Spurs n' Burrs, which teaches horsemanship and horse care to youth ages 8 to 18. Its riders have competed in therapeutic horse shows at Thorncroft Equestrian Center and in county, regional and state 4-H shows.

The Horses and History

TaKE Center started in 2001 with 6 riders and 3 horses and says it now serves more than 30 riders a week. The Our Horses page lists six horses, including Luna, a Percheron/Appaloosa, Poseidon, a draft cross, and Willow, a Canadian Warmblood, along with a group of retired horses.

Volunteering

Volunteers age 13 and up can work in the riding ring as horse leaders or side aides. Barn and horse care is open to all ages, with parents accompanying children under 10. New volunteer training is held on Saturdays in early spring, before the riding season starts in mid-April; the season runs through Thanksgiving. Scout troops, 4-H and community groups can also sign up for work days. Interested volunteers can fill out the interest form on the center's website.

Location

TaKE Center is at 1300 Woodcock Lane, Kintnersville, PA 18930, on a hilltop property in Upper Bucks County that has been in the family for generations.