Eos Therapeutic Riding Center

Eos Therapeutic Riding Center was established in 1992 to provide therapeutic horseback riding activities for cognitively, physically and emotionally challenged children and adults. Eos (pronounced EE-ose) is a shortened form of the word Eohippus, the first horse of evolution. Its name means new dawn or new beginning, an appropriate description of what therapeutic riding can help provide for our riders. The program has expanded over its thirty-two years to serve nearly one hundred riders, both special needs individuals and veterans, from a seven-county area around Bloomsburg, PA. We run weekly sessions, from early April through October, with certified instructors and many volunteer horse leaders and side walkers.  Our riders present a variety of emotional, physical and cognitive challenges. In 2016 we also began a veterans program. 

Testament to the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding comes from our riders’ families and therapists. For most of our riders, this is the only physical activity in which they can participate. Parents have told us that their children walk better as a result of riding. Others tell us of things that the children do only while on horseback. Therapists have commented on how much easier it is to work with some of the riders even days after they have ridden. The therapeutic benefits of riding are recognized by the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Occupational Therapy Association. Of course, the best testament comes from the smiles on the faces of our riders and the progress they make.

About a fifth of the Eos budget comes from fees we charge riders on an ability to pay basis. The rest comes from the generosity of members of the community and our own fundraising projects. All of the contributions of time, money and love cause miracles on horseback occur every day.