Client Information

As a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center We Offer ~

• Private and group lessons Sunday through Friday as a half hour private, a 45 min semi-private or an hour long group lesson
• PATH Certified instructors to teach each lesson
• 3-4 trained volunteers to support each client during lessons

For more information and to schedule an evaluation lesson, please contact our Program Director, Emily Stibbards, at 720.893.0650 or programdirector@therightstepinc.org.  We look forward to seeing you at the barn!

FAQs and General Info~

“Can you tell me more about lesson structure, fees, and where to start?”

• We do therapeutic horseback riding which means we focus on horsemanship and riding skills. We teach horsemanship and riding skills in an adaptive manner to meet the individual needs of our clients.  
• Therapeutic horseback riding differs from Hippotherapy in that we do not have a PT, OT or speech therapist on staff. 
• Riding a horse has naturally therapeutic benefits including increasing core strength, balance, self confidence, decision making, problem solving, following directions, socialization, and more
•  Private Lessons (one client in the lesson) are 30 minutes.
• Semi-Private Lessons (two clients in the lesson) are 45 minutes.
• Group Lessons (three or four clients in the lesson) are 60 minutes.
• All riding lessons are $60.
•  Ground based horsemanship lessons are 30 minutes long and are $20.
• There is a one time administration fee of $25
• Medical insurance does not pay for therapeutic riding.  Some insurance will cover hippotherapy or equine facilitated psychotherapy.  
• We do not bill Medicaid directly.  However, some clients have used recreation funds to pay for lessons.  Talk to your case manager at your community centered board (i.e. Developmental Pathways, Rocky Mountain Human Services, etc.).
• We operate Sunday through Friday.  “After school” hours (3-5pm) and weekend spots are extremely rare and not often available, but we will do our best to work with your schedule where possible.  
• If you are interested in coming for a tour, one can be scheduled through Emily Stibbards, Program Director 

• Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) can also be arranged through Lifelong inc. Please contact Lindsey Sparker for more information: (303) 573-0839

“How do I get started in the program?”

• Email Emily Stibbards and let her know which of the programs you would like to participate in (riding, ground based horsemanship, or other)
• Emily will send you the forms via Docusign
• Go to our website.  On the Client forms tab, print out or download the Healthcare Provider Letter and Client Medical History & Physician Statement and have your healthcare provider complete them and return them to us.
• Once forms are completed, reach out to Emily for an evaluation lesson (cost is $60)
• After the evaluation lesson, Emily will be in touch about finding a day/time on our regular riding schedule for you.
• All clients must wear long pants, close-toed shoes (boots preferred), and bring their own riding helmet.  Helmets must be ASTM-SEI certified, less than 5 years old, and properly fitting.

“Is Therapeutic Riding right for me / my child?”

• We accept a wide variety of disabilities and diagnosis in our program, including Autism, Anxiety, Cerebral Palsy, quadriplegia, developmental and learning delays, learning disabilities, ataxia, Downs Syndrome, sensory processing disorder, and more
• You must be at least 4 years of age to participate in riding lessons. There is not currently a maximum age. 
• Clients who are over 200 lbs. are invited to participate in ground based programs but cannot be accommodated for riding lessons at this time.
• Clients with specific health conditions (such as spinal fusions, certain types of epilepsy, or pregnancy) may not be able to safely participate in riding.  Every client must have a completed and signed Physician’s Statement before coming for an evaluation ride.  These forms are available on our website.