Featured Non-Profit: The Saddle Light Center

Formed in 1991, The Saddle Light Center (SLC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Selma, TX inside Retama Equestrian Center. As a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) organization, SLC provides professional equine-assisted activities and therapy (EAAT) to the disabled population of San Antonio and surrounding areas with the goal of improving their quality of life. 

“Our mission is to provide equine therapy to individuals with varying diagnosed disabilities – including, but not limited to, neurological, orthopedic, learning, and emotional – with the goal of inspiring our riders to achieve accomplishments previously considered beyond their capabilities.”

SLC rider programs focus on Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy. Therapeutic Riding teaches the sport of horseback riding within the scope of riders’ abilities. Hippotherapy refers to the use of the movement of the horse as a treatment strategy by licensed therapists to address impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities in patients with neuromotor and sensory dysfunction. Many types of disabilities are addressed through SLC’s rider programs including ADHD, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, development delay, learning disability, Spina Bifida, or Multiple Sclerosis as well as recovering stroke, brain injuries and PTSD. Through the program’s carefully planned and customized lessons, riders have shown to progress physically, cognitively, and emotionally. Lesson benefits include:

Physical benefits:

Improved muscle tone, strength, and control.

Increased range of motion, endurance, balance, gross and fine motor skills.

Stimulation of cardio-respiratory function.

Improved coordination, sensory processing, and ambulation.

Cognitive benefits:

Better problem-solving skills.

Ability to understand and follow verbal instructions.

Enhanced concentration and focus.

Promotes spatial judgement.

Emotional and social benefits:

Greater self-esteem and an increased sense of accomplishment.

Emotional control and self-discipline.

Social interaction.

The ability to ride one of SLC’s 13 horses gives tremendous physical and psychological benefits to those previously denied the usual scope of outdoor activities. Take it from a rider parent: 

“The Saddle Light Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship has been doing amazing work with the special needs community in and around San Antonio. My son has been riding with them for several years and loves it! We have seen improvements in his strength, confidence, and many other areas. We can't say enough good things about this program and the amazing people who work so hard to help our kids..” 

Between this testimonial and a quick glance at the program’s Great Non-Profit’s page - https://greatnonprofits.org/org/saddle-light-center-for-therapeutic-horsemanship - the impact it has had on the quality of life of those who have participated in the program is evident, as words like “Godsend” appear. SLC is achieving its mission and continues to do so through the generosity of their sponsors, donors, grants and volunteer workforce.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SADDLE LIGHT CENTER:

Web site: www.thesaddlelightcenter.com