Lovelane Special Needs Ho

What Lovelane Special Needs Ho does

Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit therapeutic riding center headquartered at 40 Baker Bridge Road, Lincoln, Massachusetts, founded in 1988 by occupational therapist Debby Sabin. The organization serves children with special needs—including physical disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other neurodivergent conditions—through equine-assisted activities designed to produce occupational, physical, speech, cognitive, and social-emotional gains. Its core clinical methodology leverages the horse's pelvic and trunk movement, which closely mimics a human walking gait, to produce measurable physical improvements such as improved posture, balance, strength, and normalized muscle tone, while also supporting emotional regulation and communication. Lovelane is a PATH Intl. accredited member center operating a purpose-built facility with a 13-stall barn, heated indoor arena, sensory trail, and therapy classroom.

The organization's product portfolio includes mounted Therapeutic Riding sessions, Unmounted Programs (ground-based equine activities), Horsemanship Workshops, and supplementary programs such as Barn Buddies, Carrot Club, and Horse Care Academy. Lovelane operates three seasonal sessions (Fall, Spring, Summer) and currently serves 152 students per week, delivering 4,500 therapeutic sessions annually. The business model is a hybrid of earned revenue (weekly lessons at $136 per session on a subscription/seasonal billing cadence) and philanthropic revenue (donations, foundation grants, signature fundraising events, and corporate sponsorships). Approximately 40% of families receive tuition assistance through the Susan McDaniel Tuition Assistance Fund, which distributes $65,000 annually. The organization employs a small professional staff complemented by a 197-215 person volunteer workforce and is governed by a Board of Directors under Executive Director Wendy Bell (appointed August 2022).

Name

Lovelane Special Needs Ho

Legal name

Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program

Website

https://lovelane.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Lovelane is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit therapeutic horseback riding program in Lincoln, MA, serving 152 children with special needs weekly through PATH Intl. accredited equine-assisted therapy sessions, supported by a 200+ volunteer network and philanthropic funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lincoln

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 Lessons: Lovelane generates revenue through weekly therapeutic riding lesson fees. The base lesson price is $136 weekly. They offer mounted therapeutic riding sessions as well as unmounted programs and horsemanship workshops. Payments for mounted riding are due according to seasonal schedules (Spring riders: July 31, Summer riders: June 15, Fall riders: December 31).
2. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Lovelane relies significantly on charitable donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. The Susan McDaniel Tuition Assistance Fund provides $65,000 annually to support families who cannot afford the full lesson price, with 40% of families receiving tuition assistance.
3. Event Fundraising: Lovelane hosts signature fundraising events including The Hoedown (annual upscale fundraising benefit), the Susan McDaniel Run for Lovelane (5K race), and the HalloWhinny Family Fest (Halloween celebration).
4. Partnership Proceeds: Through the Second Serve Resale partnership, shoppers can direct 85% of their purchase price to Lovelane when selecting them at checkout, creating a passive donation stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Lovelane is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit therapeutic horseback riding center that delivers equine-assisted therapy sessions to children with special needs. Programs include mounted Therapeutic Riding, ground-based Unmounted Programs, and Horsemanship Workshops, supplemented by social engagement groups (Barn Buddies, Carrot Club) and the Horse Care Academy. Services are delivered at a permanent, purpose-built facility in Lincoln, MA, operating year-round across Fall, Spring, and Summer sessions.

Product overview

Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program is a nonprofit therapeutic riding center offering a unified set of programs focused on children with special needs. The core offerings include Therapeutic Riding (mounted horseback sessions), Unmounted Programs (ground-based activities), and Horsemanship Workshops. Additional programs include Barn Buddies, Carrot Club, and Horse Care Academy. Lovelane also organizes fundraising events including The Hoedown, Susan McDaniel Run for Lovelane, and HalloWhinny Family Fest to support operations and tuition assistance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapeutic Riding Mounted equine-assisted therapy program for children with special needs, providing occupational, physical, speech, cognitive, and other therapeutic gains through weekly horseback riding sessions at $136 per lesson.
• Unmounted Programs Ground-based equine activities including horse care, grooming, and barn work for students who benefit from non-mounted therapeutic sessions.
• Horsemanship Workshops Educational workshops teaching horse care, handling, and horsemanship skills to children with special needs.
• Barn Buddies Social group program for young children, particularly those who are primarily non-verbal, focusing on interaction with horses and building social skills.
• Carrot Club Social group activity where children learn to interact with others while engaging with horses in a fun, structured environment.
• Horse Care Academy Intensive program teaching young participants horse care methods, physical and cognitive skills through hands-on barn activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4500 therapeutic sessions provided annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Second Serve ResaleminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 21 November 2025Second Serve Resale is an online nonprofit designer resale shop founded by Amy Hebb. When shoppers select Lovelane during their purchase, Lovelane receives 85% of the sale. This partnership allows everyday wardrobe purchases to support therapeutic horseback riding for children with special needs.
• Klarman Eating Disorders Center at McLean HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 August 2023An unmounted equine assisted therapy group pilot program co-led by a therapist from Klarman and an equine specialist from Lovelane. The weekly program focuses on building empathy, self-compassion, self-efficacy, and connection, with horses as the therapeutic modality and an ultimate goal of promoting resiliency and recovery from mental health challenges.
• CottingminorOthersPartner organization supporting children with special needs, listed among Lovelane's community partners.
• LABBBminorOthersPartner organization listed among Lovelane's community partners.
• PerkinsminorOthersPartner organization (Perkins School for the Blind) listed among Lovelane's community partners.
• Project Giving KidsminorOthersPartner organization listed among Lovelane's community partners, focused on youth philanthropy.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/lovelaneriding
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/2015LovelanebySE
• Facebookfacebook.com/lovelaneriding
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/lovelaneriding
• Instagraminstagram.com/lovelanehorsebackriding

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Lovelane Special Needs Ho