Have a question? Here are some answers!
Does ATRC operate year round?
Yes! For almost 40 years ATRC operated out of a mostly outdoor facility but in June 2021 we purchased a facility with an indoor arena, allowing us to continue program year round! Lessons are held in 6 week sessions with 1 week break in-between each session, year round.
What times are available for lessons?
Lessons are held 7 days a week from 10am to 7:00pm.
How often do participants take lessons?
Participants take lessons once weekly. ATRC operates in 6 week sessions, participants attend their lesson the same day of the week and time slot throughout the session. We do have some riders who choose to ride twice a week for a session!
How long is a lesson and what does it cost?
Riding lessons are either 30 minutes or 1 hour long and ground program lessons are 30 minutes long. Lessons run in private lessons or group lessons. The average therapeutic riding lesson costs around $130 for a center to hold, but ATRC attempts to keep lessons affordable for every rider. Half hour lessons are $40/ lesson and hour lessons are $55/ lesson. Cost of lessons per six week session can be found in the lesson fee schedule on the Programs and Services page of our website, $240 for a full 6 week session of half hour lessons and $330 for hour lessons.
Are there any weight limits or age restrictions?
Yes, for the safety of our participants, volunteers, and horses we have a weight limit of 185 pounds for mounted riding lessons. If a rider is over 160 pounds they must be able to transfer on and off a horse without full physical support from instructors and volunteers. Decisions on mounted lesson participation will be based on availability of a suitable horse relative to the height, cognition, and balance of the participant. We cannot accept any participants that are under four years of age.
Are the services at ATRC billable to insurance?
Our services are not billable to insurance companies. Generally, insurance will not cover the fee for therapeutic horsemanship or other equine assisted services. Our lessons are provided by Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors, certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Intl., thus we are not medical professionals and cannot bill insurance.
How do I sign up to be a rider in the program?
All individuals interested in becoming a participant must complete the following forms in order to be considered for the mounted riding and unmounted ground school programs: 2023 Rider Application- Participant Information and Health History, Liability Release, Emergency Medical Treatment Authorization, Photo/ Video Consent, Mental Health Assessment, Physicians Release (must be signed and completed by the participant's physician), Availability form, therapy assessment, and an administration fee. Please submit all of this paperwork and payment to Taylor Huntley, Executive Director. After the application has been submitted and reviewed, participants will be contacted to schedule an intake assessment. Once intake assessment at ATRC is complete, the participant will be scheduled for weekly lessons within a program.
What is involved in the Intake Assessment process?
How is each rider matched with a horse/ tack/ instructor/ volunteers? After ATRC has received the completed Participant Application and the administrative fee, an intake assessment will be scheduled prior to the beginning of a session. Our intake assessments are 30 minute unmounted ground sessions where participants will perform a series of activities and tasks with a horse to help the instructor assess ability levels. The results from the intake assessment/ evaluation will help staff assign the participant the perfect horse, volunteer team, instructor, and goals moving forward for their lessons within the upcoming session and beyond. There is a $30 Application Fee and a $30 Intake Assessment fee prior to the start of lessons for each rider.
How long is the waitlist?
The length of time a potential applicant may be on the waitlist varies, depending upon the availability of the participant and the appropriate horse, instructor, and volunteer team. Slots may open up rather quickly, however some applicants may wait a few months. When lesson slots become available those on the waitlist will be notified immediately.
Is any special attire required?
Does ATRC teach non-therapeutic lessons?
Unfortunately no, ATRC only works with riders living with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and individuals working towards physical, cognitive, emotional, and social goals through the use of adaptive horsemanship.
Any other questions? Contact Taylor Huntley, Executive Director
518-898-0742 or albanytherapeuticridingcenter@gmail.com
Yes! For almost 40 years ATRC operated out of a mostly outdoor facility but in June 2021 we purchased a facility with an indoor arena, allowing us to continue program year round! Lessons are held in 6 week sessions with 1 week break in-between each session, year round.
What times are available for lessons?
Lessons are held 7 days a week from 10am to 7:00pm.
How often do participants take lessons?
Participants take lessons once weekly. ATRC operates in 6 week sessions, participants attend their lesson the same day of the week and time slot throughout the session. We do have some riders who choose to ride twice a week for a session!
How long is a lesson and what does it cost?
Riding lessons are either 30 minutes or 1 hour long and ground program lessons are 30 minutes long. Lessons run in private lessons or group lessons. The average therapeutic riding lesson costs around $130 for a center to hold, but ATRC attempts to keep lessons affordable for every rider. Half hour lessons are $40/ lesson and hour lessons are $55/ lesson. Cost of lessons per six week session can be found in the lesson fee schedule on the Programs and Services page of our website, $240 for a full 6 week session of half hour lessons and $330 for hour lessons.
Are there any weight limits or age restrictions?
Yes, for the safety of our participants, volunteers, and horses we have a weight limit of 185 pounds for mounted riding lessons. If a rider is over 160 pounds they must be able to transfer on and off a horse without full physical support from instructors and volunteers. Decisions on mounted lesson participation will be based on availability of a suitable horse relative to the height, cognition, and balance of the participant. We cannot accept any participants that are under four years of age.
Are the services at ATRC billable to insurance?
Our services are not billable to insurance companies. Generally, insurance will not cover the fee for therapeutic horsemanship or other equine assisted services. Our lessons are provided by Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors, certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, Intl., thus we are not medical professionals and cannot bill insurance.
How do I sign up to be a rider in the program?
All individuals interested in becoming a participant must complete the following forms in order to be considered for the mounted riding and unmounted ground school programs: 2023 Rider Application- Participant Information and Health History, Liability Release, Emergency Medical Treatment Authorization, Photo/ Video Consent, Mental Health Assessment, Physicians Release (must be signed and completed by the participant's physician), Availability form, therapy assessment, and an administration fee. Please submit all of this paperwork and payment to Taylor Huntley, Executive Director. After the application has been submitted and reviewed, participants will be contacted to schedule an intake assessment. Once intake assessment at ATRC is complete, the participant will be scheduled for weekly lessons within a program.
What is involved in the Intake Assessment process?
How is each rider matched with a horse/ tack/ instructor/ volunteers? After ATRC has received the completed Participant Application and the administrative fee, an intake assessment will be scheduled prior to the beginning of a session. Our intake assessments are 30 minute unmounted ground sessions where participants will perform a series of activities and tasks with a horse to help the instructor assess ability levels. The results from the intake assessment/ evaluation will help staff assign the participant the perfect horse, volunteer team, instructor, and goals moving forward for their lessons within the upcoming session and beyond. There is a $30 Application Fee and a $30 Intake Assessment fee prior to the start of lessons for each rider.
How long is the waitlist?
The length of time a potential applicant may be on the waitlist varies, depending upon the availability of the participant and the appropriate horse, instructor, and volunteer team. Slots may open up rather quickly, however some applicants may wait a few months. When lesson slots become available those on the waitlist will be notified immediately.
Is any special attire required?
- Everyone taking riding or ground program lessons must wear an ASTM/SEI helmet certified for equestrian use. ATRC has an assortment of ASTM/SEI helmets available for use by participants. Your instructor can help guide you if you are interested in purchasing your own, personal helmet.
- Long pants are required for riding participants. Shorts may be permitted for participants in our ground program.
- All participants must wear closed toe shoes, riders closed toed shoes should have a slight heel. A boot with a low heel is recommended, but not required. Please no steel toed boots. Sneakers are allowed.
- During the winter months it is suggested that participants dress in layers and wear gloves.
Does ATRC teach non-therapeutic lessons?
Unfortunately no, ATRC only works with riders living with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and individuals working towards physical, cognitive, emotional, and social goals through the use of adaptive horsemanship.
Any other questions? Contact Taylor Huntley, Executive Director
518-898-0742 or albanytherapeuticridingcenter@gmail.com
