Riding to the Top, a stable in Windham, provides equine-assisted therapy for children and adults with disabilities.

Executive Director Sarah Bronson said Riding to the Top has been serving the region for more than 30 years. Its services include therapeutic or adaptive riding, carriage driving for individuals who are unable to ride a horse, and a small physical and occupational therapy program utilizing equine movement to help people with disabilities.

The stable has 16 horses on site, a staff of 12, and 70 volunteers certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. The volunteers mostly help out during lessons, but many also help take care of the horses, as well as with administrative functions and special events, according to Bronson.

Riding to the Top sees 80 to 90 patients a week, almost evenly split between children and adults.

Bronson said the most common way that Riding to the Top acquires therapy horses is when owners “free-lease” their horses, retaining ownership while the stable takes on care and responsibility. Other horses, she said, were donated or purchased.

Arriving horses have to be well behaved and have a high tolerance for large numbers of people, given that there are anywhere from one to three people on the ground near the horse helping patients while they’re riding.

When someone is interested in joining the program, Riding to the Top looks at the patient’s physical size and support needs to determine which horse would be the best partner. The movement of a horse, and what type of movement would be best for the patient, is a key factor in determining horse-patient compatibility.

In addition to 14 horses used for riding therapy, Riding to the Top also has a pair of miniature horses, Apollo and Apple Jax. Too small to be ridden, these horses are used for non-riding therapy sessions and carriage rides, and serve as unofficial brand ambassadors for Riding to the Top.