Statements
Mission
Saddle Up's mission is to impact the lives of children and young adults with disabilities by providing opportunities to grow and develop through therapeutic, educational and recreational experiences with horses.
Background
In November 1989, a dedicated group of volunteers embarked on a transformative journey to empower children with disabilities through a program they named Saddle Up! The initiative focused on recreational activities with horses. Beginning as a one-night-a-week program in good weather, Saddle Up! served just 10 students at a loaned farm, utilizing borrowed tack and horses. At that time, the only offering was Adaptive Riding.
The vision of those founding volunteers has since blossomed beyond their wildest dreams. Today, Saddle Up! operates eight programs year-round from its own 34-acre farm, which features an all-weather riding arena, specialized therapy spaces, stables for up to 28 horses, and the capacity to serve over 240 children and young adults each year. The array of Saddle Up! programs includes Adaptive Riding, Therapy Services (Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy, using horses as treatment partners), Advanced Rider Equestrian Club, From the Ground Up, Adaptive Horsemanship, Interactive Vaulting, Fun on the Farm (summer only), and Alumni Transitions-a program designed for Saddle Up! graduates who have aged out of other services.
Saddle Up! is sustained by 300 dedicated volunteers who contribute over 15,000 hours of service annually across various roles. As the oldest and largest program of its kind in Middle Tennessee, and the only one solely focused on children and young adults with disabilities, Saddle Up!'s growth over the past 30 years reflects the ongoing demand for its unique programs and services.
Impact
Children and young adults enrolled in Saddle Up! programs demonstrate improvements in flexibility, balance, and muscular strength. For those with mental or emotional disabilities, the special bond formed with the horse can foster greater confidence, patience, and self-esteem. Saddle Up! offers a variety of opportunities, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, physical exercise, cognitive stimulation, learning experiences, confidence-building activities, as well as the creation of social networks and recreational opportunities.
Testimonial from rider parent Elizabeth R.:
"Our greatest wish for Kenbe is that he lives a life free of boundaries others might place on him. Saddle Up! builds confidence, spreads hope, brings comfort, improves balance and strength, and brings joy. As a parent, it's where I see all that Kenbe can do. Through Saddle Up! programs, Kenbe has gained core balance, improved confidence, and the satisfaction of achieving his goals. Thanks to the support of instructors, staff, and volunteers, Kenbe's pride and accomplishment have flourished, and I witness his transformation and progress beyond expectations."
Needs
Our budgetary needs center on the rising costs of maintaining our therapy horses and facility. Regular maintenance and upgrades are essential to uphold the high safety standards for our riders, horses, and volunteers. Additionally, with a growing rider waitlist, we face the challenge of retaining qualified instructors and therapists with the necessary Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) credentials to meet the increasing demand for our services.
CEO Statement
For over 30 years, Saddle Up! has been transforming the lives of children and young adults diagnosed with a disability or learning difference through the movement and motivation of the horse. Saddle Up! annually empowers over 240 special equestrians ages 2 through 26 to grow stronger and thrive by employing a care team of trained instructors, therapists, therapy horses, and volunteers. Through interactions with their fellow riders and care team members, riders learn to socialize independently and gain confidence that impacts every aspect of their lives.
As Middle Tennessee's largest and oldest Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) Premier Accredited Center exclusively serving children and young adults, Saddle Up! is often recognized as the benchmark facility for best practices in our industry. A premier accreditation ensures that our programs are safe and evidence-based, and that our management staff, certified instructors, and licensed therapists adhere to the strictest professional standards. Our therapy horses are carefully selected and trained and then matched to the needs of each rider and their volunteer team. The non-judgmental relationship between horse and rider, the encouragement of each team member, and the warm and familiar environment of our 34-acre farm often allows a child to go beyond what they have achieved in other settings.
- Audrey Kidd
Executive Director
Board Chair Statement
As President of Saddle Up!'s Board of Directors, I have long witnessed the profound impact of our programs and the life-changing effects that our horses have on their riders. As a lifelong competitor with a passion for riding, I understand the powerful and healing influence that horses can have on people. For these reasons and more, I am committed to supporting Saddle Up! through my volunteer service and financial contributions.
Over the past three decades, the community has come to rely on Saddle Up!'s exceptional programs, and families have formed deep connections through the friendships they cultivate at the farm. For our riders, Saddle Up! serves as a safe haven in a sea of uncertainty-a place where parents can take a break, where children feel loved unconditionally and fully accepted, and where the stresses of the outside world can momentarily melt away, if only for an hour each week.
The power of the horse-human connection is undeniable, and at Saddle Up!, we witness its impact on our riders every day. We have the privilege of watching their journeys toward improved strength, confidence, and skill development. It's a truly special place, and I am honored to be a part of it.
- Brian Hubbard, Gensler
President
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Human Services - Children's and Youth Services |
| Secondary Category: | Recreation & Sports - Equestrian |
| Tertiary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development Programs |
Areas Served
Saddle Up! serves children and youth in all counties of Middle Tennessee; however, most participants come from Williamson and Davidson Counties.
| TN - Robertson |
| TN - Coffee |
| TN - DeKalb |
| TN - Marshall |
| TN - Humphreys |
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Maury |
| TN - Montgomery |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Wilson |
