Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding Center

MILTON, Del.– 2026 is the year of the horse and the Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding Center is galloping into the future when it comes to expanding access to their equine therapy programs.

Executive Director for SDTR Jo Allegro-Smith says their programs can work for people that have physical and mental disabilities.

“They are our four legged therapists,” Allegro-Smith said. “They really have a special way of communicating with people and they’re very intuitive.”

Riders in the therapeutic riding program get matched with a horse that matches on personality.

“We match our participants up with the unique personalities of the horses,” Allegro-Smith said. “Not just any horse can be in our heard, they have to be special.”

For vice president Dave Sharpe he became involved with therapeutic riding because of his daughter.

“As I started watching her with the horse I saw how powerful this was,” Sharpe said. “In addition her confidence with the horse but also with herself just exploded it was interesting to see.”

Later this month the riding center is launching a program for people with Parkinson disease.

“Equine assisted services can help anybody,” Allegro-Smith said. “Anyone who is dealing with some type of challenge in their life can benefit.”

For the riders here at the Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding Center it’s more then just getting on a horse it’s about building confidence, making connections, and refinding their independence.