Therapeutic Riding

Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit and relies on fundraising and volunteers to carry out our programs. The actual unsubsidized cost of a lesson is $150. Some people choose to pay this amount and if it is possible, it is greatly appreciated. Through the generosity of our donors, Lovelane is able to provide a standard subsidized rate of $115 to make our program more accessible. Many riders receive additional tuition assistance to further subsidize the rate by completing a Request for Tuition Assistance form. These forms are reviewed by our Tuition Assistance Committee and the funds available are divided up and awarded based on need. For all new riders, there is a one-time $50 administration fee that helps cover administrative costs.

Lovelane does not bill insurance companies, however you can submit a reimbursement form to your insurance company if they offer that option. Lovelane can provide a receipt for therapeutic riding lessons, but cannot provide a procedure code.

Each lesson is a 30 minute private session

The wait is entirely dependent on a rider’s availability and our staff’s availability. If your child is only available afterschool and/or on weekends, then the wait is longer. Lovelane typically has more available openings during our “off-peak” riding times: Monday-Friday between 10:00am and 2:00 pm. So, if your child can ride during our “off-peak” times the wait can be shorter. Lovelane offers various opportunities for Wait List students to become involved with Lovelane while they wait for a spot in our core program. We offer a 1-Day Therapeutic Riding (TR) trial session in the fall and a limited number of slots for a 4 or 6 week TR trial session during Lovelane’s summer semester. Also in the summer, Lovelane offers spots in our Summer Horsemanship Workshops to Wait List students. Many Wait List students choose to participate in Lovelane’s Barn Buddies Program. This is a great opportunity for your child to get involved and familiar with Lovelane before they begin riding with us.

Yes. Due to COVID, it is required that all Lovelane students bring their own riding helmets. Please call/text Nancy at 978-225-0031 to set up an appointment for a fitting. You may also visit Complete Equestrian to order a helmet online. Lovelane recommends you choose from the following options: Ovation Deluxe Schooler Helmet - $59.95; Tipperary Sportage Helmet - $79.95; Starter Package (helmet, riding pants and riding boots) - $99.95

Lovelane’s instructors all hold their MA Riding Instructor License, are skilled and experienced and highly dedicated to their craft. Because of the special needs of our student population, many of our instructors are certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International and/or are therapists. Our instructors know the diagnosis and case history of each of their students, and it is our goal to work with the student’s other therapeutic providers. When coming off the Wait List, your child will be assigned an instructor based on availability.

Lovelane’s 12 therapy horses are the cornerstone of our program. The outstanding and irreplaceable service they provide reaches approximately 100 students each week. We have many different types of horses, all shapes and sizes, to meet the needs of our diverse student population. It takes a very special animal to do the job of a therapy horse, and we take great care in selecting and training the horses used in our program. Before entering a new horse into Lovelane’s program, they first must go through a trial session. During their trial, potential new therapy horses are evaluated and many factors are considered. The temperament of the horse is one of the most important characteristics we look at, as we are committed to providing our riders with a safe and quiet ride. The horse’s quality of movement and soundness are also critical to their performance in the program.

Volunteers are integral to the program design at Lovelane. Several volunteers are usually needed for each riding session to help with preparation of the horse and to ensure the safety of the riders. Currently we have a need for over 85 volunteers each week to assist with therapy sessions, as well as the maintenance and operation of the riding facilities. Lovelane’s volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds including: skilled equestrians, professionals, teachers, students, retirees and stay at home parents. Several of our volunteers have experience working with special needs children and/or are physical, occupational, or speech-language pathologists. Many other volunteers have never worked with our population or horses, but are enthusiastic and committed to help. Volunteers receive on-the-job training to help them to perform their duties safely and effectively. Generally, the minimum age to volunteer in lessons is 16. We occasionally schedule younger teenagers with solid horse experience for barn work. Volunteers under the age of 18 must have the written consent of a parent or guardian before volunteering at Lovelane.

Yes, a weight limit ensures the safety of Lovelane’s lessons. Generally, students with a PASSIVE WEIGHT less than 130 lbs or ACTIVE WEIGHT less than 170 lbs are permitted to ride. Throughout the year, Lovelane staff continually assesses each rider to determine safety and appropriateness for the program. Any rider requiring a full transfer assist and/or requires major trunk support to sit on the horse must weigh less than 100 lbs and/or be approved for safety by the Lovelane staff.

Each week, in the core program, Lovelane holds around 100 therapeutic lessons and serves approximately 120-130 students ages 2 and up, from 36 Greater Boston communities. We also serve between 20 and 30 additional children weekly in our adjunct and collaborative programs. Lovelane currently has partnerships serving children from Perkins School for the Blind and the Cotting School. Our students have cognitive and physical special needs and a wide range of conditions including (but not limited to): Anxiety, ADD, Autism, Blind, Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Deaf, Developmental Delay, Down Syndrome, Dyslexia, Epilepsy, Genetic Disorders, Head Injury, Hearing And Vision Impairments, Hypotonia, Learning Disabilities, Low Muscle Tone, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Nemaline Myopathy, Schizencephaly, Seizure Disorders, Sensory Integration Disorder, Speech Apraxia, Spinal Cord Injuries, Stroke and Tuberous Sclerosis.