Special Equestrians is proud to announce our new partnership with the Philadelphia Park Casino and Racetrack and Turning for Home, a non-profit Thoroughbred retirement and adoption organization.

Under a program we're calling A Step Along the Way, we will be providing stall rest and rehabiliative care for select injured race horses.

While resting, these horses will be a part of our Youth Connections curriculum.  Our vulnerable at-risk youth riders will be introduced to the plight of these vulnerable horses, with the goal of developing increased empathy and awareness of the eqiune industry.  The riders' work with the former race horses will be in addition to their current curriculum of therapeutic riding lessons and marketable job skills training.

The first horse in A Step Along the Way, Goodmans Girl, arrived Tuesday, October 20.  El Frio, the second horse, arrived Tuesday, November 3.  Both horses are in need of sponsorship to help us provide hay, feed, and rehabilitative care.  If you're interested in sponsoring a horse, call Tammy or Tracey at (215) 918-1001.

To read an article about this new program, click here.

*GREAT NEWS!*  Reiki Master Janet Emmert has generously donated her time and talent to helping GiGi and El Frio heal.  After just two weeks, the improvement in both horses is astounding!  We are so grateful for Janet's expertise in this Japanese method of treament, which uses various alternative techiniques to promote healing.

Janet provides Reiki and other healing services to humans and animals through her business, The Rose Garden's Path.

*UPDATE! March, 2010*  Both Gigi and El Frio are doing wonderfully!  Their injuries are improving steadily, and El Frio especially has made amazing progress.  Both horses enjoy working with our Youth Connections riders, getting brushed, leg-wrapped, and in all ways pampered.

Below:  Goodmans Girl checking out her new digs at Special Equestrians.  Under the blue wraps is poultice, which helps reduce the swelling of her injury.

Below:  El Frio stepping carefully off the trailer and making himself at home.  He loves looking out his window and watching the world go by.  Thank you Dafydd Jones for the wonderful shots of El Frio.