Barn Raises Level of Service to Disabled
New Facility Gallops Forward Despite Tough Times

10860 Topanga Canyon
Chatsworth, CA 91311

Despite the difficult economy Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship will celebrate a major milestone with the opening of its new horseback riding ranch in Chatsworth. “Ride On will now have a permanent presence in the San Fernando Valley” said Executive Director Bryan McQueeney, “it is a huge step forward for those with disabilities.”

Ride On will hold a grand opening of their new permanent therapeutic riding facility in Chatsworth on Saturday March 20th. The event is FREE, the public is welcome and encouraged to attend anytime from 9am – 2pm to enjoy a free pancake breakfast and to tour the new facility which is located on Topanga Canyon Blvd. There will also be therapeutic riding demonstrations throughout the day by Ride On’s talented students and horses.

Six years ago, Ride On began to focus on securing a permanent base of service. “Horse-keeping ranches were going away and the loss of our current, leased, home would be crippling.” McQueeney continued, “it took a huge effort from our volunteers and the community to get to this point.” The new facility adjoins the now city-owned Stoney Point Stables just south of the famed rock climbing hills off Topanga Canyon Blvd.

“We purchased this ranch just before the economy collapsed and we had to use virtually all our reserves to close escrow. Obviously, getting to this point was very, very tough but our success is testament to a great mission and a great organization” said McQueeney.

Ride On has now given over 50,000 lessons and physical therapy treatments in its history. Ride On gave its very first lesson in a small weed covered arena only a few feet away from their new home. Each week Ride On serves over 170 disabled riders. Lloyd Anderson is one example. Lloyd rode in that very first lesson, after suffering a head injury from a bicycle accident in 1986 and has ridden every week for the past 15 years. “It used to take 5 people to get him on a horse and keep him there” said Nancy Anderson, his mother. “He didn’t have any trunk control, riding gave him strength which enabled him to crawl, sit and eventually walk” she added. According to Nancy “Ride On is a melting pot for people with disabilities – Lloyd doesn’t feel like a head injury patient when he rides at Ride On as they focus on his abilities not his disability”.
Ride On teaches therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with physical and mental disabilities at two locations in Chatsworth and Newbury Park. Therapeutic riding combines instruction in traditional horsemanship skills with concepts of physical therapy which improve the strength, balance and self esteem of individuals with disabilities.
Ride On’s new home is located at 10860 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Chatsworth. For more information please contact Sara Jones 818.700.2971 or visit our website www.rideon.org.