Special Riders of Sumner

Special Riders of Sumner
P.O. Box 131
Cottontown, TN 37048
Christi Carter, Executive Director
(615) 452-4960 (Voice)
(615) 403-3866 (Cellular)

Special Riders of Sumner is a non-profit organization that provides free weekly horseback riding sessions to Sumner County youth and adults with all types of physical and mental disabilities.

 

The Benefits

Research shows that horseback riding can be very helpful to people with disabilities.

It provides beneficial exercise and can strengthen weak muscles and improve balance.

It is also thought to help participants psychologically by raising self-esteem and feelings of self-worth and accomplishment, while allowing the riders the opportunity to make new friends.

The family members of riders also benefit by meeting others with family members with disabilities and forming their own unique support groups.

 

SRS Participants

Special Riders of Sumner serves children as young as 6 years of age, with no maximum age limit for adult riders.

All riders have some type of disability which is thought to be helped by horseback riding.

All riders live in Sumner County.

 

SRS Riding Sessions

Participants ride weekly at no charge for about 30 minutes.  The sessions are held outdoors in a beautiful rural setting near Hendersonville.

Volunteers help with the riding sessions by leading horses for the riders, or "side walking" beside them to keep them steady in the saddle.  In most cases, three (3) volunteers work with each horse and rider, although some riders progress to ride without assistance.

 

SRS Program Horses

The horses used in the program are gentle and well-trained and have been loaned by Sumner Countians who believe in the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding.

All tack and riding equipment has been donated by other supporters, and all hay and feed is also given to the program by area merchants and farmers.

 

Financial Support

In order to offer the riding sessions at no charge, SRS is dependent on the financial support of individuals and organizations, such as area civic clubs and churches and United Way of Sumner County.

Current sponsors include: