Founded by Ronni Meltzer in 1984, Prancing Horse serves individuals in Moore and surrounding counties. The Center is in operation 30 weeks annually. It currently serves approximately 70 riders. The goal is to provide year-round riding and to increase the program capacity to 125 riders. The benefits of therapeutic riding are available to most individuals with disabilities.
Riders range in age from four to seventy-eight.
The program serves special needs classrooms in public and private schools, a private preschool for developmentally disabled children, numerous group homes for children and adults, a limited number of private clients, and, in the past, two preschool satellite classes of the Eastern and Central North Carolina School for the Deaf. The ultimate goal of therapeutic riding is to increase self-esteem, confidence and motivation, to encourage learning and to further the physical and psychological development of the individual. Prancing Horse, a United Way Agency, depends on the generous support of friends of the program, businesses and grants. A contingent of over 100 volunteers is often seen side-walking, mucking out at the farm, manning the FeedBag at horse shows or cheering the riders to victory. Prancing Horse welcomes volunteers, rider referrals, instructors, therapists and horses.