Open Enrollment Community Class

Life is an obstacle course—sometimes challenging, sometimes deeply rewarding.

At PonyUp4Kids Foundation, our community equine‑obstacle program invites everyone to participate. This inclusive class welcomes individuals as well as any young adult or community member who wants to grow, learn, and discover their potential with the help of a magnificent equine partner.

Together, you and your horse will learn to break down barriers, analyzing each obstacle, turning big challenges into manageable steps, and guiding your equine teammate through with clarity and purpose. These lessons translate directly into everyday life, helping you approach school projects, career goals, and personal aspirations with confidence.

You’ll strengthen your ability to focus and follow through, staying attentive and persistent even when the course takes an unexpected turn. Because horses respond instantly to your choices, you’ll also build real‑time problem‑solving skills, learning to adapt, adjust, and think creatively on the fly.

Growth, Understanding, Success

This journey is also about cultivating resilience for life’s twists and turns. Not every obstacle will go perfectly the first time—and that’s the beauty of it. You’ll learn to embrace imperfection, dust yourself off, reevaluate, and try again. It’s a powerful lesson in bouncing back from setbacks and turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

Horses are sensitive, intuitive beings who react to human emotions. Through this partnership, you’ll learn to manage your emotions under pressure, regulate your feelings, stay calm, and approach challenges with a clear mind. This builds emotional intelligence, self‑control, and a deeper understanding of yourself.

As you navigate complex courses with a powerful animal, you’ll uncover strength from within—a sense of accomplishment and self‑efficacy that can reshape how you see your own abilities. You’ll discover inner strengths you never knew you had, building a foundation for future success.

One Hoofbeat at a Time

And woven through it all is the profound human–equine bond. You’ll learn to read subtle cues, communicate with empathy, and build trust through consistent, compassionate interaction. This connection fosters patience, kindness, responsibility, and mutual respect. The non‑verbal understanding and unconditional acceptance a horse offers can be grounding, healing, and affirming.

This isn’t just a class about horses.

It’s about discovering your true potential.

It’s about learning to lead with heart, overcome with courage, and live with purpose.

Open enrollment to the public. Welcoming to all.

Are you ready to align your life with these powerful lessons?

Join us and embark on a journey that will transform how you approach goals, challenges, and relationships—one hoofbeat at a time.

OPWDD Self-Direction: Equine Eligibility

Equine Services & OPWDD Self-Direction

Individuals enrolled in New York State’s OPWDD Self-Direction program may be eligible to include equine-assisted activities and equine-facilitated wellness services as part of their approved budget. These services can support personal development goals such as emotional regulation, social engagement, and physical well-being.

We work closely with individuals, families, brokers, and care managers to ensure that services are aligned with OPWDD guidelines and properly documented for inclusion in Self-Direction plans. All services must be pre-approved and included in the individual’s budget and Life Plan.

If you're interested in incorporating equine-assisted services into your Self-Direction plan, we’re here to help guide you through the process.