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Easterseals Massachusetts Easterseals Massachusetts
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Monthly Veterans Horsemanship & Riding

Through mindful mounted and unmounted activities with horses, participants can improve their ability to adapt, communicate, initiate, self-regulate, and trust.

Horses as Partners: Connection, Growth, and Self-Awareness

Horses meet you where you are. They serve as honest, present, and nonjudgmental partners. Living in the moment, they respond to subtle cues and provide feedback in real time. They are well-suited to support self-awareness. Building a relationship with a horse and with peers in a group class can help establish connection and community. 

Through mastery of horsemanship skills and riding experiences, participants may experience:

  • Improved strength, balance, coordination, and flexibility
  • Reinforced leadership and confidence
  • Increased self-awareness: Grooming, groundwork, and mounted work all encourage participants to observe their own posture, emotion, and actions
  • Social-emotional growth: Equine activities promote communication, assertiveness, healthy risk-taking, and boundary-setting
collage of veterans during Horsemanship & Riding classes

Horsemanship & Group Riding Activities:

Each class includes a combination of unmounted horsemanship, mounted riding, and collaborative activities that support emotional regulation, communication, confidence, and awareness. Our staff and volunteers are supported by PATH-inspired guidelines for veteran programming. Safety, dignity, and empowerment are at the core of every interaction.

Participants can expect:

  • A predictable, welcoming environment in a barn
  • Instructors experienced in supporting participants of all backgrounds
  • Freedom to engage at their own pace
  • No pressure to ride, groundwork is equally valuable

Enrollment Information:

  • Veterans and active service members are welcome
  • Free: Sponsored by James A. Oliver Jr VFW Post 2125 in Bridgewater, MA
  • No previous riding experience is required; our structure supports both beginners and more experienced riders
  • Limited spots available; early registration is encouraged