Riverdale Stables Expands Equine Therapy Access

The Open Stable Foundation provides financial aid for therapeutic horse sessions in New York City.

Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Philanthropy

Bold vector editorial illustration of a grooming brush on a wooden rail, representing equine therapy access. — The Open Stable Foundation is expanding its financial aid program, helping New York City families afford therapeutic equine sessions at Riverdale Stables. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe animal-assisted therapy is an effective way to support physical and emotional rehabilitation?

As of September 2026, the Open Stable Foundation is expanding access to therapeutic services at Riverdale Stables in New York City. The nonprofit provides scholarships to help families cover the costs of hippotherapy and equine-assisted learning sessions.

Why it matters

The foundation was created to help local families manage the cost of specialized services that support physical, emotional, and cognitive development. By subsidizing these sessions, the organization ensures consistent access to therapy programs for residents.

The Open Stable Foundation raised nearly $7,000 during its inaugural fundraiser. In September alone, the group funded six scholarships totaling $3,000 to assist 36 participants across 65 sessions.

The players

The Open Stable Foundation

This nonprofit organization raises funds to provide therapy scholarships and subsidized services for families in New York City.

Riverdale Stables

Located at 6100 Mosholu Ave., this facility hosts the therapeutic programs that combine hippotherapy and equine-assisted learning.

Raz Ginsburg

A 6-year-old participant who began attending therapy sessions at the facility in August 2026.

The details

Operating out of 6100 Mosholu Ave., the program utilizes bareback pads for mounted sessions to encourage core muscle engagement through rhythmic movement. Ground activities like grooming and artwork also facilitate nonverbal cue recognition for clients such as 6-year-old Raz Ginsburg.

Fall 2025: The Open Stable Foundation held its first fundraiser.
Spring 2026: The program's dedicated classroom opened.
August 2026: Participant Raz Ginsburg began attending sessions.
September 2026: The foundation supported 36 participants through 65 sessions.

Market Landscape

This program aligns with the rise of equine-assisted therapy as a non-traditional support for cognitive and physical development. It reflects a shift toward philanthropic models that lower barriers to entry for specialized, high-cost wellness services.

Families in the New York City area can seek financial assistance through the foundation to reduce the cost of therapeutic sessions. These subsidies ensure that participants can access physical and emotional support services without the full burden of market-rate fees.

The takeaway

Equine-assisted therapy programs rely on consistent community funding to maintain accessible pricing for local families. Interested participants should inquire about scholarship applications to determine if they qualify for subsidized services.