Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy

What Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy does

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1991 by Carol Tatum, delivering therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted services for individuals with physical, developmental, intellectual and behavioral disabilities, with adjacent programming for first-responder families and able-bodied adults. The organization operates from a single facility at 8297 Bustleton Ave in Northeast Philadelphia, supported by a herd of at least 15 therapy horses (including Standardbred adoption horse Hummer, Devon Horse Show Therapy Horse of the Year winners Forrest in 2025 and Molly in 2024, and 2016 Pennsylvania National Horse Show honoree Clyde), PATH International-certified instructors, and a trained volunteer corps that fields up to 12 volunteers per lesson block.

The program portfolio centers on weekly group and private therapeutic riding lessons (maximum four riders per 30-minute class, two instructors, year-round across four sessions), plus the PEACE autism program, Equine Facilitated Learning, Back in the Tack for able-bodied adults, the Stepping Forward program for Philadelphia FireFighters Local #22 families, an inclusive 4-H track, and a six-week summer program that allows non-waiting-list trial enrollment. Riders are pre-screened with a $50 non-refundable evaluation fee and placed on a multi-month waiting list. The organization's competitive positioning rests on PATH International accreditation, approved-provider status with the Philadelphia School District for compensatory education, and partnership referrals from Moss Rehabilitation, Inglis House, The Woods School and the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

Revenue is generated through lesson fees, multi-tiered horse and rider sponsorships (Champion $5,000 down to Friend $100), general donations via PayPal/Venmo/check and United Way/CFC designations, and a recurring calendar of fundraising events anchored by the February Carol Tatum Memorial Gala, Hoofbeats Happy Hour ($60/person), Designer Bag Barn Bingo ($30 individual / $200 table of 8), Trot in the Park 5K and Buy-a-Bale hay campaigns. Major presenting sponsors include Wertheimer's Warriors, Saddle Hill Winery (Bill Green) and the Jonathan & Joanne Smith family, with Einstein HealthCare Network and State Senator Tartaglione among Yellow Ribbon sponsors. Executive leadership transitioned in 2019 from founder-era Executive Director Barbara Wertheimer (now Executive Director Emerita) to Teresa Doherty, who co-authored the organization's Equine Strategic and Succession Plans presented at the 2019 PATH International Conference.

Name

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy

Legal name

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy, Inc.

Website

https://pegasusridingacademy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 1991, delivering PATH International-accredited therapeutic horseback riding and equine-assisted programs for individuals with disabilities, first-responder families, and able-bodied adults in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Riding Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive & Special Needs Personal Training (HSADAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gait, Balance & Coordination Rehabilitation (School-Age) (EDAKAGAH), Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ)

Keywords

• Therapeutic riding services
• Equine assisted activities
• Adaptive horseback riding
• Disability therapy programs
• Equine facilitated learning

Headquarters

HQ city

Philadelphia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Therapeutic Riding Lesson Fees: Program fees charged to participants for therapeutic riding lessons. Riders receive discounted rates, with scholarships available for those who cannot afford full tuition.
2. Rider Sponsorships: Corporate and individual sponsors fund scholarships for riders with disabilities. Gift levels: $2000 for one year, $1000 for two 12-week sessions, $500 for one 12-week session.
3. Horse Sponsorships: Sponsors fund specific horse care costs at various levels: Champion $5,000 (one year), Gold $2,500 (feed and bedding), Silver $1,000 (vaccinations), Bronze $500 (adaptive tack), Friend $100 (horseshoes).
4. Fundraising Events: Major annual events including Carol Tatum Memorial Gala (typically February), Hoofbeats Happy Hour wine and cheese event ($60/person), Designer Bag Barn Bingo, and Trot in the Park 5K.
5. General Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted via PayPal, Venmo (Pegasustraphilly), or check. Federal Tax ID: 23-2241291. Also accepts United Way (808929) and CFC (72514) donations.
6. Volunteer Support: Volunteers provide essential workforce for lesson operations - up to 12 volunteers per lesson block. Each rider works with a team including horse handler and two side-walkers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy delivers PATH International accredited therapeutic horseback riding lessons and equine-assisted activities for individuals with disabilities, including a specialized PEACE Autism Program, Equine Facilitated Learning, Back in the Tack riding for able-bodied adults, the Stepping Forward program for first responder families, and a 4-H program. Services are delivered at its Philadelphia facility and through partner schools and healthcare organizations, with therapy horses and certified instructors supported by trained volunteers.

Product overview

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy is a non-profit therapeutic riding organization offering a portfolio of equine-assisted services for individuals with disabilities. The core offerings include Weekly Therapeutic Riding Lessons (group and private), the PEACE Autism Program for children with autism, Back in the Tack (BITT) for able-bodied adults, Equine Facilitated Learning, Stepping Forward for first responder families, 4-H programming, a Summer Program, and a Scholarship Program. The organization is PATH International accredited and operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing therapeutic riding services primarily in Philadelphia, PA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Weekly Therapeutic Riding Lessons Group and private lessons offered six days a week for participants with disabilities, diagnoses, and at-risk populations. Group lessons have a maximum of four riders led by two instructors, with 30-minute standard session length. The program runs year-round with four sessions annually.
• PEACE Autism Program The Pegasus Equine Autism Challenge and Enrichment (PEACE) program provides specialized activities on Monday evenings for children with autism spectrum disorders, focusing on communication skills, social interaction, sensory integration, and behavior modification through Level I-III classes.
• Back in the Tack (BITT) Riding Program A riding program for able-bodied men and women over age 18 with or without previous riding experience. Takes place on Tuesday mornings encompassing basic horsemanship skills and equitation with 1-hour group lessons and 30-minute private lessons available.
• Stepping Forward Program An Equine Facilitated Learning hands-on unmounted educational program designed for children of first responder community members (Philadelphia FireFighters Local #22) to learn stress coping mechanisms while partnering with therapy horses.
• Equine Facilitated Learning A hands-on unmounted educational program designed to promote the development of social and life skills. Program participants engage in various activities throughout Pegasus grounds partnering with a therapy horse as a bio-feedback mechanism.
• 4-H at Pegasus An inclusive Pegasus TRA 4-H program meeting one Saturday a month, welcoming children interested in learning about horses, making new friends, leadership development, and volunteering. This is an unmounted 'horse-less' horse program.
• Summer Program A six-week summer program in July and August providing additional lessons Monday through Thursday with 30-minute group lessons once a week during morning hours. Allows prospective riders to try therapeutic riding without being on the waiting list.
• Scholarship Program Scholarships awarded for therapeutic riding to clients based on financial need, including disabled individuals from low- or fixed-income families, single-parent families, or families with more than one disabled family member.
• Pegasus Horse Show An annual horse show held in September where all Pegasus riders display their talents for family and friends. The show is divided into classes based on abilities with special awards given to first place in each class.
• Carol Tatum Memorial Gala The highlight annual event of the year held typically in February, serving as a major source of funding for the therapeutic riding program and honoring Pegasus founder Carol Tatum.

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Philadelphia FireFighters Local #22coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Local #22 funded the Stepping Forward program for children of first responders to learn stress coping mechanisms through equine facilitated learning activities.
• The Pennsylvania School for the DeafcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPSD students participate in pilot Equine Facilitated Learning programs with specialized curriculum. Tanya Brown served as program coordinator for PSD ENGAGE program.
• Delaware Valley UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple staff members serve as adjunct faculty at DVU. Staff members hold degrees in Equine Management from DVU.
• Standardbred Retirement FoundationminorOthersHummer the Standardbred gelding was adopted from Standardbred Retirement Foundation in New Jersey after he never had a racing career.
• TheChive PhillyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesignated charity for TheChive Philly's annual Phever in the Phall event. Raised $2,278.14 in October 2018.
• Whole Foods Market JenkintownminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNickels for Non-Profits community giving program partner featuring local nonprofits for three-month periods.
• Holy Ghost PrepminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual day of service where students volunteer to paint, clean, and help prepare facility for events.
• Thorncroft Equestrian CenterminorOthersHosts the Therapeutic Riders Division of the Devon Horse Show at their facility in Malvern, PA.
• Philadelphia School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerApproved provider with Philadelphia School District for compensatory education services. Students found eligible for compensatory hours can utilize them at Pegasus.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: BraveHearts is an Illinois-based PATH Premier Accredited Center providing therapeutic riding and equine-assisted services for children, adults, and veterans with disabilities. Comparable to Pegasus as a multi-program accredited nonprofit with a similar volunteer pipeline.
• Equest: Equest is a Texas-based PATH International accredited nonprofit offering therapeutic horseback riding, equine-assisted services, and adaptive horsemanship programs serving people with disabilities, veterans, and at-risk youth. It is a direct peer to Pegasus with a similar nonprofit model, multi-program portfolio, and reliance on volunteers and donations.
• Mane Stream: Mane Stream is a New Jersey-based PATH International accredited nonprofit offering equine-assisted services for individuals with disabilities, including occupational therapy with horses. It is geographically adjacent to Pegasus and offers a directly comparable service portfolio.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding & Learning Center: High Hopes is a Connecticut-based PATH Premier Accredited Center providing therapeutic riding, equine-assisted learning, and adaptive programs for individuals with disabilities. It mirrors Pegasus's program mix, nonprofit structure, and reliance on volunteer-driven lesson operations.
• Great and Small: Great and Small is a Maryland-based PATH International accredited therapeutic riding organization serving children and adults with disabilities. Its service model, volunteer model, and nonprofit funding structure are highly comparable to Pegasus.
• Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center: Cheff Center is a Premier PATH International Accredited Center in Michigan offering therapeutic riding, equine-assisted learning, and veteran programs. It is comparable to Pegasus in mission, accreditation status, and dependence on donor-funded operations.
• National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT): NCEFT is a California-based nonprofit offering equine-assisted therapy, mental health services, and adaptive riding programs. Its clinical/therapeutic orientation and multi-program nonprofit structure are directly comparable to Pegasus's offerings.

Broad incumbents

• PATH International: PATH International is the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, the industry umbrella organization that accredits and certifies Pegasus and its peer centers. It is a broad incumbent stakeholder shaping industry standards, instructor certification, and accreditation.

Emerging players

• Wounded Warrior Project: Wounded Warrior Project is a large nonprofit serving veterans with disabilities, including through equine and adaptive programs. While not a direct therapeutic riding operator, it is a comparable disability-services nonprofit and a potential program partner or competitor for first responder/military funding pools.

Regional players

• Greenlock Therapeutic Riding Center: Greenlock is a smaller PATH-affiliated therapeutic riding center operating in a different US region (Rhode Island). It is comparable in service offering and nonprofit model but serves a different geographic market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PegasusPhilly
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCa2slVkrYf1oNJQOQW9AZ4g
• Facebookfacebook.com/PegasusPhilly
• Instagraminstagram.com/pegasusphilly
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pegasus-therapeutic-riding-academy-inc

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy