Business Details
12 Years
experience
Therapeutic Riding Programs for All Abilities in Poway
Ride Above Disability Therapeutic Riding Center Therapeutic Riding Center was founded in 2014 with a mission to Celebrate Ability, Create Hope, and Ride Above Challenges. Our organization specializes in therapeutic riding programs for children and adults of all ages with physical, emotional, social, and behavioral disabilities. Following PATH Intl guidelines, we provide individualized lessons tailored to each rider's goals, focusing on developing strength, coordination, balance, and confidence through equine-assisted therapy. Our team approach combines experienced instructors, dedicated volunteers, and specially trained horses to create a safe, fun environment that fosters growth in multiple developmental areas.Since our establishment, we've served riders aged 4 to 102, helping them achieve measurable improvements in posture, mobility, and communication skills. Our programs include private lessons, group sessions, and competitive show opportunities, all conducted at our facility in Poway, California. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on community support through donations, sponsorships, and volunteer participation to maintain our services and expand our impact.
Services
Therapeutic Riding
Equine-Assisted Therapy
Group Lessons
Extended Lessons
Horse Sponsorship
Volunteer Program
Competitive Shows
Sibling Participation
PATH Certification
Community Outreach
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We offer PATH-certified instructors with decades of combined therapeutic riding experience
- Our individualized lesson plans address each rider's specific physical and developmental goals
- We maintain a 3:1 volunteer-to-rider ratio for personalized safety and support
- Our equine team includes specially trained therapy horses with diverse backgrounds
- We provide competitive show opportunities for riders seeking advanced challenges
Associations and certifications
- PATH Intl
What people say
Improved mobility
Increased confidence
Supportive environment
Happy and excited
Best posture
Services
Therapeutic Riding
Our core program uses horseback riding to improve physical abilities and emotional well-being for riders with disabilities. Specially trained instructors guide sessions that enhance balance, coordination, and strength while building confidence through horsemanship. Riders develop communication skills and emotional connections with horses in a safe, supportive environment.
Group Lessons
Interactive riding classes that promote social development and peer connections among riders. These 40-minute sessions maintain a 3:1 volunteer-to-rider ratio while teaching horsemanship skills and achieving individual therapy goals. Group dynamics encourage motivation and shared accomplishments among participants.
Extended Lessons
45-minute sessions combining riding with comprehensive horsemanship education. Riders learn stable management, grooming, and tacking procedures alongside riding skills. This expanded format develops responsibility and deepens the human-horse connection while advancing therapeutic objectives.
Competitive Shows
Annual events allowing riders to demonstrate skills in dressage and gymkhana competitions. These shows provide goal-oriented challenges against able-bodied riders, fostering confidence and achievement. Participants compete in divisions based on ability, earning recognition for their progress and accomplishments.
Volunteer Program
Opportunities for community members to assist in lessons, horse care, and administrative tasks. Volunteers receive training to support riders' safety and progress while gaining equine experience. The program builds community connections and expands our capacity to serve riders with diverse needs.
People
Allie Sarnataro
Co-Founder, Executive Director
Allie began riding at 12 and became a PATH-certified instructor in 2010. With 8 years volunteering at SPUR Therapeutic Riding Center and experience as a Girl Scout camp director, she brings extensive equine and leadership expertise to RAD.
Katie Cram
Co-Founder, Equine Director
Katie started riding at 8 and became PATH-certified in 2006. With experience at Helen Woodward Animal Center and PoVa Therapeutic Riding Center, she specializes in equine care and instructor training for therapeutic programs.
Bonnie Bergren
Instructor
Bonnie has 30 years of horse experience and a background in pediatric nursing. As a PATH-certified instructor, she combines medical knowledge with horsemanship to create effective therapeutic riding experiences for diverse riders.
Wayne Jackson
Co-Founder
A retired US Marine with a Master's in Organizational Leadership, Wayne brings nonprofit management expertise. His equine experience began on an Oklahoma farm, and he has volunteered at multiple San Diego therapeutic riding centers.
Jesus Soberanis
Instructor
A US Marine Corps veteran, Jesus combines youth mentorship experience with equine therapy. He focuses on horsemanship fundamentals and cowboy culture education while supporting riders' personal development through therapeutic activities.
Questions
What disabilities do you work with?
We serve riders with physical, emotional, social, and behavioral disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, and learning disabilities.
Do you require a physician's release?
Yes, all participants need a completed physician's release form before starting lessons to ensure safety and appropriate program placement.
Can family members ride together?
Our sibling program allows family members to participate in lessons together, creating shared experiences and strengthening family bonds through equine activities.
Are lessons available year-round?
We offer continuous programming with monthly billing cycles. Lessons operate rain or shine with appropriate weather modifications for safety.
How do you match riders with horses?
We carefully pair riders with horses based on size, ability, and therapeutic goals. Each horse's temperament and movement characteristics are considered for optimal rider-horse compatibility.
Do you offer volunteer opportunities?
Yes, we welcome volunteers aged 14+ to assist in lessons, care for horses, and support administrative tasks. Training is provided for all volunteer roles.
Reviews (7)
Linda P.
May 06, 2021
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Was there for a photo shoot with a horse today, a fundraiser. It was so fun! Hope they will do that again.
Kay Daniels
Jan 22, 2020
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The owner (Wayne) is a heartless man! He attracts volunteers in the name of helping disabled kids. Especially, if you have a little accent or dont look like him you will be definitely out of luck. I must say the instructor (Katie) is an excellent instructor and a beautiful person. My son was going to this place for more than a year. This year they canceled his sessions at least 10 times. They sent me invoices for this month and $235 for the sessions he never rode. So, I paid this months invoice with the intention of paying the rest on a later date as I have paid for a long time. Then he
Jessica Neinast
Nov 18, 2019
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I always enjoy visiting staff students and the wonderful vunteers,not to mention the sweet horses
Karen H.
Jun 22, 2019
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I can't actually give a good review for Ride Above Disability. Any review that I write will not even come close to describing how truly amazing this program is. How can I put that into words? How can I describe the special bond between the horses and children, the thoughtfulness of the instructors, the care and thought that goes into tailoring each lesson to the unique needs of each child? RAD changes lives, builds confidence, cares for special horses, and gives children with any disability the opportunity to thrive in horseback riding. The lessons are designed to challenge each child, starting
James C.
Jan 11, 2018
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This place deserves zero stars. The owner buys discounted horses with violent behavioral problems. The staff isn't properly trained to handle the beasts. It's a dangerous place for children.
Naomi Carleton
Jun 23, 2017
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Full disclosure: my sister is one of the founders of RAD. I could not be more proud of the work RAD does. They offer therapeutic riding and horsemanship to any disabled rider. They operate with multiple horses and work with all skill levels. With decades of horse experience and skilled instructors, RAD is a fabulous asset to the community.
Monica P.
Feb 23, 2017
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The instructors and volunteers REALLY care about the students they help. This is definitely a wonderful program for children and adults. They are organized, thoughtful, have careful horses and pay strict attention to the safety of their riders. What great people!
