Who we are

Discovery Riders is a community-oriented, non-profit 50l(c) (3) organization, incorporated in 1996. Our goal is to provide physically, mentally and emotionally challenged people an opportunity to improve their lives through horsemanship. We are guided by the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, (NARHA) which means that the organization and our instructors have jumped through a considerable number of hoops to meet established industry standards. That's the official part, and we take our responsibility seriously. We are educated, trained and insured.

That said, we also have a lot of fun and see some amazing results. It is not unusual for a child who has never walked before to discover that, though the strength and balance developed on a horse, he or she can now begin to walk. The first words or signs of many of our non-verbal riders are related to riding. An autistic boy who joined us three  years ago is now treasurer of his 4-H Club.

A horse is a magnificent animal. Big and imposing. And we who are weaker can borrow their strength and speed.

In addition to Discovery Riders' commitment to therapeutic riding, we also are working with children identified as "at risk" by their schools, by a guidance counselor or teacher. "At risk" is a very polite term for what is often a very troubled child. Friendless. Socially inept. Unhappy. Not doing well at school and at life. We work, too, with a group of juvenile offenders, sent to us by the courts. These kids are looking for something better and they often find it in a partnership with a big, gentle animal.

©2008, Discovery Riders Inc., Bellefontaine, OH 43311