At GALLOP NYC, we offer therapeutic horseback riding to people in New York City. We use the horse to provide physical, psychological, cognitive and educational therapies that help people who have learning disabilities or are disabled to gain skills and have fun in a safe, supportive and dignified manner, and at all times based on good horsemanship and respect for both people and the animal.

Description and/or History:
We bring the joy of therapeutic horseback riding lessons for people with disabilities in New York City. We work with a wide range of riders: from at risk youth to children on the autism spectrum, from visually impaired teens to a 5 year old with down syndrome. Every volunteer has the opportunity to work hands on with horses and riders.

Description and/or History:
Horseback riding provides real and concrete to adults and children with disabilities, including emotional, cognitive and physical benefits. Gallop was formed in 2005 to provide riding lessons to disabled people in New York City. We currently provide lessons weekdays at Kensington Stables, Brooklyn NY and at Lynn's Riding Academy in Forest Hills, Queens, NY.

Volunteers help, depending on their skills and interests, by readying the horses for riding, by grooming and tacking them up, helping prepare riders for riding (fitting helmets, for example), and then by leading the horses or "spotting" the riders. No experience is needed and we provide training.
All of our riders have a sense of accomplishment and pride in what they learn, a feeling our volunteers share.

GALLOP NYC formed because we saw a need for more therapeutic riding opportunities in New York City, and we hope to eventually become a full time "premier" NARHA center. (NARHA is a national organization that certifies instructors and facilities.)
In 3 years we have grown from 2 to 100+ riders and offering lessons 5 days a week (Monday through Friday only. We hope to soon expand to offer Saturday and Sunday lessons).

If you would like more information about our organization or how to become a volunteer, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Marilyn, at:
info@gallopnyc.org

Contact person: Gallop NYC, Volunteer Coordinator, (email)

Address:

51 Caton Place Brooklyn, NY 11218 (See a map)

Directions:

Take the F train to Ft. Hamilton Parkway, take exit at front end of train. There will be a highway on your left and a bridge over that highway in front of you. Walk along th path to the right. . . (more)