Special Equestrians, Inc.

What Special Equestrians, Inc. does

Special Equestrians, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit therapeutic riding organization founded in 1986 by Rita Mendel in Birmingham, Alabama, and headquartered at 1215 Woodward Drive in Indian Springs, AL. Its mission is to enrich the lives of people with physical, cognitive, or emotional challenges through a relationship with a horse. The organization delivers three core programs: Therapeutic Riding (group mounted lessons of 3-4 riders, 45 minutes weekly, taught by PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors), Horsemanship (ground lessons covering grooming, bathing, and leading), and Horseabilities, which uses the Miracolt mechanical horse for participants unable to ride a live animal or working toward mounted riding. All programming is conducted in person at the single Indian Springs facility; there are no remote, retail, or licensed distribution channels.

Name

Special Equestrians, Inc.

Legal name

Special Equestrians

Website

https://specialequest.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Special Equestrians is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Indian Springs, Alabama, founded in 1986, that provides PATH-certified therapeutic horseback riding, horsemanship, and mechanical-horse programs to individuals with physical, cognitive, developmental, and emotional disabilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Riding Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Horse Boarding, Livery & Stable Operations (AFAEAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Equestrian & Rodeo Facilities (MPAKAEAM)

Keywords

• Therapeutic riding
• Equine-assisted activities
• Adaptive horsemanship
• Disability therapy services
• Nonprofit therapeutic programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Indian Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Program Tuition: Fees charged to participants for therapeutic riding and horsemanship programs. Tuition covers less than 18% of the annual $300,000 operating budget.
2. Grant Income: Funding from foundations and organizations including TumTum Tree Foundation, Charles and Estelle Campbell Foundation, Medical Properties Trust, The Daniel Foundation, Pace Foundation, and others.
3. Annual Fund Drive: Annual fundraising campaign to support operations and keep program costs affordable for riders.
4. Special Events: Major fundraising events including Boots and Black Tie Gala and Charity Classic Golf Tournament that generate significant revenue for operations.
5. Endowment: Long-term financial stability through $2,000,000 endowment campaign with gifts of $5,000 or more.
6. In-Kind Donations: Professional services and supplies donated by supporters including discounted veterinary services, farrier services, cleaning services, and property use.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Special Equestrians delivers therapeutic horseback riding, horsemanship, and equine-assisted activities to individuals ages 4 and older with physical, cognitive, developmental, or emotional disabilities. Programs are taught by PATH certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors in group sessions at the Indian Springs, AL facility, with the Miracolt mechanical horse used for participants unable to mount a live horse.

Product overview

Special Equestrians offers three core equine-assisted activity services: Therapeutic Riding (group horseback riding lessons for 3-4 participants, 45 minutes weekly), Horsemanship (ground-based horse care lessons), and Horseabilities (using the Miracolt mechanical horse for balance and coordination). Programs operate on seasonal terms (Fall, Spring, Summer) with volunteer training conducted monthly. The organization also conducts fundraising events including the annual Boots and Black Tie Gala and Charity Classic Golf Tournament, and offers horse sponsorship and scholarship donation programs to support operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapeutic Riding Group horseback riding lessons of 3-4 participants, 45 minutes per mounted session once weekly, taught by PATH certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors. Focuses on learning riding skills in an adaptive environment.
• Horsemanship
• Horseabilities
• Volunteer Training
• Seasonal Riding Terms Structured therapeutic riding terms including Fall Term 1 (August 23rd - September 27th) and Fall Term 2 (October 13th - November 15th), with volunteer training sessions scheduled at the start of each term.
• Boots and Black Tie Gala
• Charity Classic Golf Tournament
• Horse Sponsorship
• Scholarship Fund

Quantifiable outcome

• Horse movement stimulates dormant nerves and muscles, mimicking human hip action
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organization that provides certification for Therapeutic Riding Instructors. Special Equestrians' instructors are PATH certified (CTRI). The organization recommends professional development through PATH conferences for instructors to attend regional and national conferences.
• Easterwood Equine HospitalminorOthersProvides discounted veterinary services to Special Equestrians as a major in-kind professional service contribution.
• Indian Springs SchoolminorOthersProvides use of property to Special Equestrians as a major in-kind contribution.
• Colin ClaybrookminorOthersProvides discounted farrier services as a major in-kind professional service contribution.
• Stanley SteemerminorOthersProvides cleaning, storage and related services as an in-kind contribution.
• The Healing Touch Equine MassageminorOthersProvides equine massage services to the program's horses as an in-kind contribution.
• Windwood EquestrianminorOthersVenue host for the annual Boots and Black Tie Gala since 2018, located in Pelham, AL.
• Highland Park Golf CourseminorOthersAnnual venue for the Charity Classic Golf Tournament held the first Thursday in October.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International): The national certifying body for therapeutic riding instructors and accrediting organization for therapeutic riding centers. Special Equestrians' instructors are PATH certified (CTRI), making PATH International the primary industry organization and ecosystem partner rather than a direct competitor.

Direct peers

• Mane Stream (formerly known as Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center): A PATH Premier Accredited center in Oldwick, New Jersey offering therapeutic riding, equine-facilitated mental health, and adaptive sports. Comparable in clinical oversight, volunteer-driven model, and diversified programming beyond mounted lessons.
• Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center: A PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center in Loveland, Colorado providing equine-assisted services to individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. Directly comparable in program design, instructor certification, and scholarship-based access model.
• Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center: A PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center in Augusta, Michigan serving individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted activities. Directly comparable in mission, programming (therapeutic riding, horsemanship, carriage driving), and nonprofit structure to Special Equestrians.
• Ride On (formerly Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship): A PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center in Chatsworth, California offering adaptive riding, equine-assisted therapy, and veteran services. Comparable in programming breadth, instructor certification requirements, and volunteer-driven service delivery.
• The Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding: A PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center in San Juan Capistrano, California serving riders with disabilities through mounted and unmounted programs. Comparable in clinical oversight, instructor certification, and diversified revenue from tuition, grants, and events.
• Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equitation: A PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center in Boxford, Massachusetts serving individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted services. Comparable in PATH-certified instruction model, volunteer-dependent operations, and nonprofit scholarship structure.
• GallopNYC: A PATH Member therapeutic riding center in New York City providing equine-assisted services to children and adults with disabilities. Comparable in urban-adjacent service model, PATH certification, and community-driven fundraising.
• Strides to Success: A nonprofit therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning center in Whitestown, Indiana serving youth and adults with disabilities, mental health needs, and at-risk situations. Comparable in mission, seasonal program structure, and community-driven fundraising approach.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding & Education Center: A PATH Premier Accredited center in Old Lyme, Connecticut offering therapeutic riding, horsemanship, and equine-facilitated learning to people with disabilities. Comparable in service mix, clinical oversight model, and nonprofit fundraising structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SpecialEquest
• Facebookfacebook.com/SpecialEquest
• Instagraminstagram.com/specialebham
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/special-equestrians-inc-

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Special Equestrians, Inc.