Riley Feinauer rides Dallas, with Sgt. Ladue and dad Rudy Feinauer side-walking and Cpl. Lauren Chirgwin Leading, May 2007

SADDLE-UP FOR LIFE is a recreational and therapeutic horseback-riding program for people with disabilities. Launched in 1998, Saddle-Up for Life (SUFL) currently provides a highly supervised recreational riding program for residents of Southbury Training School.  In addition, the 2GHG runs a small therapeutic riding program providing riding lessons to children with disabilities.

The horses of the 2nd Company Governor's Horse Guard are, by nature of their exposure during parades and other public events, suited to handle unexpected behavior and movement of special needs riders more than the average horse. This is a unique program for the disabled and disadvantaged in our community, and it provides an opportunity for them to interact with horses in a positive way, under strict supervision.

Each client on horseback requires three volunteers - one on each side, and one to lead the horse.  All rides are scheduled in advance to ensure that troopers from the 2GHG can make time to participate.  All members of the 2GHG assist in various ways to make this program a success.

2GHG is a member center of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, (NARHA.org) and follows the rules and guidelines set forth in their standards manual. One of our members is a certified therapeutic riding instructor, and many others are members of NARHA.

Melanie Quinn rides Dallas, as Sgt. Carrie Ladue and Cpl. Lauren Chirgwin side-walk. Sgt. Melanie Viets leads. May 2007

The riders that participate in SUFL have a variety of handicaps and in different ways, each one benefits from horseback riding. We require background and medical information from all participants, as well as signed permission forms from physicians and parents or guardians.

On Saturdays, about a dozen times a year, residents of Southbury Training School – severely disabled adults – come to 2GHG.  Six to twelve riders participate in each session.  We take them three at a time for a ‘trail ride’ in our hunt field, each rider requiring a horse leader and two side-walkers.

Residents from Soutbury Training School enjoy a 'Trail Ride' in 2GHG's hunt field, April 2007

The historical text was adapted from existing 2GHG documents provided by SGT Andrew J. Pavlucik. 

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