What We Do
Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) are recreational, clinical, and educational programs that partner with horses to promote physical, emotional, and cognitive growth. Through guided activities such as riding, grooming, and ground exercises, participants of all ages and abilities build confidence, strength, coordination, communication, and social skills. Led by credentialed professionals, these services foster healing, learning, and connection through the unique bond between humans and horses in a safe and supportive environment.
Therapeutic Horsemanship Program
Therapeutic horseback riding and ground horsemanship are recreational and sport-based activities that naturally complement one another. The program teaches equine skills both on and off the horse to children and adults. Participants are able to learn riding skills in a safe and judgement free environment that is empowering and fun.
These skills include mounting and dismounting, steering, transitions, posting, half seat, diagonals, ring figures, leg yields, and jumping. On the ground, the participant is able to tend to their horse and experience a stronger bond than riding alone. This includes but is not limited to horse anatomy, grooming, first aid and healthcare, feeding and watering, leading and lunging, and learning about the history of equines, breeds and equine colors.
Endeavor can accommodate children and adults of varying levels. There is always a focus on the ability of each participant with commensurate setting of goals that are achievable while both challenging and inspiring further growth.
Some of the therapeutic benefits that we typically observe include physical improvements like increase in core strength and fine motor skills; cognitive improvements like increase in ability to perform multi-step directions; emotional improvements like the increase in ability to self- regulate, and social skills, for example, increase in confidence in communication with peers.
The rate for therapeutic horsemanship is $100 per lesson. Scholarships are available. See more details here.
“Endeavor has given my son a place to feel happy, comfortable, and accepted. For the first time, he looks forward to participating, engaging, and learning. For the first time, he feels connected and successful at something. As a mother, watching the anxiety and self doubt melt away from my son as he walks into Endeavor, has been an indescribable feeling. We are so grateful.”
Equine Assisted Learning
Endeavor Educator and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning Jennifer Heffer has grown the Equine-Assisted Learning program into serving hundreds of students each year.
Endeavor partners with local schools and school districts to offer programs in the sensory rich environment of the farm.
Endeavor Empowers
The multifaceted nature of Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) and Activities provides a unique opportunity for students to practice skills critical to success in the classroom and beyond. Embedded within Endeavor’s philosophy as equine-assisted educators is an understanding that all students are different and have unique strengths and areas for growth. Before any school group attends Endeavor, our instructors will discuss goals with the classroom teacher(s) and tailor sessions accordingly. This might mean a shift towards social-emotional learning or opportunities to apply what is being studied in the classroom allowing concepts to come to life through real world applications at the farm.
Endeavor Enriches
Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship Inc.’s mission is to empower individuals with a broad range of needs by providing the highest quality equine-assisted services in an inclusive and welcoming environment.
We are committed to this goal, not only at our farm, but in our wider community. Through virtual programming, a visit to the farm or a combination of both, our instructors provide an in-depth and eye opening experience. Students have opportunities to develop empathy for contemporaries with a broad range of needs, affording them the necessary first steps towards empowering students to make their own environment a more welcoming and safe space for all. Our lessons can be tailored to students of all ages.
We have identified 10 characteristics which we use as a foundation upon which we create our EAL curriculum.
H - Horsemanship
O - Ownership & Observation of Self
R - Respect & Resilience
S - Safety & Self-Regulation
E - Engagement & Empathy
S - Self-Esteem
Pathways Program
Endeavor partners with local residential and day facilities to provide recreational equine assisted services to the areas most vulnerable children and adults due a variety of factors including addiction, poverty, racism, mental health diagnosis, disabilities and histories of trauma.
Activities include ground horsemanship, riding lessons, and/or vocational volunteers dependent on the goals of each partnering group. Our staff will work with you to create a curriculum tailored to meet the needs of each individual participant or group.
Staff at our partnering agencies report measurable and marked progress in emotion management, ability to self-soothe, positive response to change, and increased levels of engagement.
If you are interested in partnering with Endeavor, please reach out to Director of Programs and Operations at program@endeavorth.org
The Endeavor Equine Program launched in April of 2023 with thanks to the Prison Relations Advisory Committee and the Interfaith Prison Partnership.
Endeavor provides a 10 week therapeutic horsemanship program at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and Taconic Correctional Facility. The Endeavor Team brings in one or two equine partners and teaches a vocational curriculum with the mindset of highlighting the therapeutic benefits of working with equines.
Endeavor travels to Bedford Hills on Mondays and Taconic on Wednesdays. If you are interested in volunteering in this program please inquire with program@endeavorth.org for further trainings and paperwork.
Did you know The City of New York published a paper titled “An Equine Facilitated Prison-Based Program: Human-Horse Relations and Effects On Inmate Emotions and Behaviors” that stated “Quantitative findings suggest that program participants have a statistically lower chance to recidivate as compared with the control group”.
This program is free of charge.
“Endeavor gives me relief, calm and useful tools to use and think about situations which I can’t control. The metaphors between the horses and myself , I can see are the same and I can use them in my life. I love this program.”
Veterans & First Responders
“Endeavor Salutes our Veterans” recognizes and has immense gratitude for all branches of service: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard.”
The Endeavor Veteran Program supports over 300 Veterans each year. All free of charge.
Enrolling Veterans, Veteran Groups, and Active Duty Military Personnel. Enrollment is one time per week and between 40 and 120 minutes depending on group size.
Endeavor offers the following weekly sessions:
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Utilizing the Eagala Model
Ground Horsemanship
Saturday Farm Chores Group
Upon Request:
Therapeutic Riding
Vocational Training Program
All Veteran Programming is provided by a team approach utilizing a mental health specialist with military experience and a certified equine specialist.
Contact Laurie Ciavardini at laurie.ciavardini@endeavorth.org or 914-241-0211 to find out more information or inquire here.
The Endeavor Veteran Program is located at The Santomero Family Foundation Veteran Center at the Endeavor Farm. A quiet and private environment with a separate access, it is designated solely for the work with Military Personnel.
We are conveniently located 10 minutes from train stations, major highways, and hotel accommodations. All Veteran programming is offered at no cost to the veteran, spouse, or family member. All services are conducted by both a PATH and/or EAGALA certified Equine Specialist and a licensed mental health provider.
The mental health providers hold certifications in Military Counseling.
“My biggest takeaway from today’s session was mindfulness. The horse’s reacted/responded to our feelings, intentions, and movement. I had a white mare and Eliza who are just the most beautiful horses I’ve ever seen. I am so grateful for the opportunity today. Thank you.”
Help riders thrive
Your gift goes beyond keeping our horses fed — it changes lives. Every donation supports riders in need and helps sustain programs that empower individuals with disabilities, marginalized communities, and veterans. Join us in making a difference, one stride at a time.