At Centaur Stride, we make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. Our goal is to help as many as we can, and every person matters.

Getting on and off a horse is sometimes the greatest challenge. Years ago, in 2002, we got a State grant to purchase a hydraulic lift. The lift did not have railings, and it allowed those with limited mobility the ability to be raised up to the level of the horse for transfers. Dave Moller of Royal Fabrication of Jamestown made custom railings, at no cost, to help prevent falls off the lift and to assist riders with a handhold when transferring on the horse from the lift as independently as possible.

For riders who could not stand and pivot, instructors or myself, a physical therapist, had to lift the clients. Instructors had a 75-pound max lifting limit. That cut a few riders from our programs unless I was there to transfer them and could do it safely. Last year, Centaur Stride began a multi-year project, “Building Up Centaur Stride.” This project had multiple components, and one major component of this project was made possible by a grant from The Children’s Guild Foundation (TCGF). Centaur Stride was able to purchase overhead Sure-hands lift, making it achievable for people over 75 pounds who could not stand and pivot to safely mount and dismount the horse. The grant also supported the costs of training the horses and staff to use the lift.

Currently, four of our horses are now approved to use the lift. Our goal is to have up to 10 horses of various sizes and heights to match and safely transfer riders needing that support.

A board member of The Children’s Guild Foundation is shown transferring with Sure-hands lift with assistance of Tyler Muka, instructor.

This past Thursday, board members and administrators from The Children’s Guild Foundation came out to Centaur Stride to see the lift in action. Jean, barn manager, demonstrated the transfer in the lift utilizing River (horse) with staff Tyler and volunteer Abby assisting.

Holly Reslink, COO, shared pictures of Heavyn Acosta, a Dunkirk resident dependent on her wheelchair for all mobility, using the lift with Blossum (horse) and Tyler Muka, instructor during one of her recent lessons.

Holly stated, “This lift has already made a difference for two of our riders, allowing them the ability to resume riding here at Centaur Stride. This overhead lift will open the door for others that previously felt they had to stop riding or couldn’t participate because of the difficult transferring onto or off the horse.”

For people who are in wheelchairs, the horse offers a sense of freedom and mobility unlike anything they have ever experienced. For some, it might be the first or only time they have ever been able to observe nature in wooded areas. Our trails transverse the creek (across a bridge) or follow along the creek. The physical benefits of movement help with circulation, digestion, hormonal balance, range of motion and strength, especially core strength, which is critical for postural control, and so much more. Then there are the psycho-social benefits. The sunshine and fresh air just add to the package.

Centaur Stride remains committed to providing an integrated, inclusive, welcoming, accessible, safe, friendly, structured, and engaging environment for people with and without disabilities. We offer our programs at fees well below their actual cost — and, when grants and donations make it possible, at no cost to participants.

With your continued support, the opportunity to reach even more people is within our grasp. Every donation, volunteer hour, fundraising effort, and shared message helps us extend our mission and strengthen our future. Please join us on this amazing journey.

For more information, visit linktr.ee/centaurstride or email us at info@centaurstride.org. Donations can be sent to : Centaur Stride, PO Box 174, Westfield, NY 14787.