Unbridled Horsemanship

Unbridled Horsemanship is a hands-on equine program offered to people with disabilities and veterans who reside in group homes, participate in support groups and learning programs, or are in care at a residential treatment facility. Activities include horse grooming, leading, education about horses and horsemanship, and horse handling skills.

Unbridled Horsemanship is offered to nursing homes, day programs, group homes, support groups and residential treatment facilities. Visits are also offered as a community-based learning opportunity in partnership with schools and educational programs. Participants learn about working with and around horses, including grooming and practicing ground work to develop a human-horse bond. The program helps individuals learn about horses and their behavior, body language, and non-verbal communication, encouraging participants to be "in the moment" with their equine partner.

Visits are supervised by a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. The program serves individuals 16 years of age or older. Closed-toe shoes are required to interact with any of our horses, but exceptions will be made for participants who use wheelchairs to interact with a horse under the direct supervision and guidance of Southern Reins' staff.

Unbridled Horsemanship visits are scheduled for 1 hour for groups of 3-8 participants. Groups may visit weekly, monthly, or quarterly. All participants are required to complete a Participant Information Form for Unmounted Observation and/or Equine Interaction prior to the visit. The fee is $25 per participant per visit.

For more information, contact Sara Zurenko, Program Director: Sara.Zurenko@southernreins.org.

Participant Registration Information

All prospective participants must complete and submit an Equine Interaction Participant Form that includes a participant profile, hold harmless agreement, and more. All paperwork must be signed and submitted prior to the start of the session.

Equine Interaction Participant Form

Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy is a Premier Accredited Center by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.). PATH Intl. premier accreditation assists the public in selecting quality centers that deliver safe equestrian services and certifies that a member organization has achieved industry standards for equine-assisted services for individuals with special needs. Southern Reins is the only Premier Accredited Center in the greater Memphis area and is one of only three in the state of Tennessee, joining the top tier of centers across the country who have received premier accredited status.