About the Program

FENCE is proud to offer TROT, a therapeutic riding program teaching horsemanship skills to adults and children with physical, developmental and cognitive challenges in a safe, friendly and supportive environment. You can watch a short video about our program produced by students at Isothermal Community College here.

As a Premier Accredited Center of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, TROT adheres to strict standards set by PATH for safety and effective teaching. The program is open to residents of Polk, Henderson and Rutherford counties in North Carolina, and Spartanburg and Greenville counties in South Carolina.

TROT classes are planned and taught by PATH-certified instructors and are built around the individual requirements of each student. Typically, three volunteers - one to lead the horse, and two to serve as sidewalkers - assist each student to carry out the teacher's instructions. Depending on the needs of each student, classes include exercises and games designed to strengthen muscles, aid eye/hand coordination, help distinguish right and left, focus attention and so on. Many lessons take place only at the walk; more advanced students may work for brief periods at the trot.

Classes are typically a half-hour in length, and may include up to three students. Each student spends time before each class grooming and learning how to tack up the horse; after each lesson, students help remove tack, clean their horses and offer treats. Students are assisted and supported at all times by volunteers who have completed training courses following PATH guidelines.

Inquire about lesson fees and our scholarship fund.
Applying For The Program

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