Saddle Light Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship

Amazing charity! The therapists, horses and volunteers provide such a wonderful service and positively impact the lives of many with diverse abilities. A healing to be.

Excellent non profit which makes a difference in the lives of the students!

I love volunteering here! These therapy horses are the sweetest and each have their own unique personality. The center is very organized and I always know how & what I need to do as a volunteer each time I show.

My son has been attending The Saddle Light Center for about 8 years, he has gained so much from the sessions, like body awareness, self control, paying attention to instructions, social skills, body strength and he has so much confidence in himself. All the people working and volunteering at SLC are wonderful and we are blessed to be a part of this organization.

Roel is non verbal and is the rider. He enjoys the ride, therapist, and walkers. They are all super! Without them Roel wouldn't have gained the strength needed to accomplish the necessary tasks to ride a horse. The horses are trained to carry our precious ones. It goes without saying Kristi makes it happen: thanks Kristi. Kerstin you are it! Thanks for allowing me to thank you!

I have been a volunteer at The Saddle Light Center for over a year and find it to be very well run and completely thorough in all aspects of their service. From training and certification of therapists and the thoughtful, goal-oriented care of clients to the meticulous care of the horses, SLC does it right with purpose and compassion. SLC provides a unique service for many that cannot afford this type of special therapy - and this requires a unique/detailed management of the business.

I started assisting with grant writing several months ago and joined the board a few months ago, because I wanted to be part of the leadership for SLC and share my professional skills. However, I get as much joy from mucking stables, cleaning paddocks, feeding, and grooming the lovely equine partners at SLC, who are often horses that are being given a second chance and a new role that they perform so well.

I don’t have words to express the change I have seen in my daughters behavior and self confident from Horse therapy. My daughter has been so happy since she started therapy here. Not only are the horses wonderful, but wow everyone you come into contact with is so helpful, caring, want the best for everyone, and loving. The environment that is created there makes everyone happy. We are thankful for saddle light center it has definitely transformed my daughters life!

I've been here about 6 months and it is one of the most fulfilling volunteer opportunities I've come across. It is such a joy to work with the horses and clients, as well as my fellow volunteers.

I have been volunteering with the Saddle Light Center for over two years now and it has been one of the greatest organizations and therapeutic outlets I could be involved in. I cannot speak highly enough about the volunteers, our director, and of course our horse partners!

I like volunteering with SLC because it's for a good cause of providing therapeutic horseback riding. They are also highly accredited and very organized. As a volunteer, I learned the chores, responsibilities, and my role as a side walker thru organized training and the staff being very trusting of my early abilities and fostering growth.

This is a wonderful facilty doing wonderful work! I attended a volunteer training/orientation and am very impressed with the facility, the staff and the operations. Very organized and well run!

Such an amazing staff, they go above and beyond for the children!

My experiences as a rider at Saddle Light Center have been phenomenal. I was hesitant when I first started, but the staff and volunteers have really helped me feel more at ease. I absolutely love getting to connect with the horses and those that have been a part of my journey.

As a volunteer, I came for the horses and ended up loving not only the horses but
also the kids. From being slightly afraid of horses, I can now handle them with
caution. I gained a great appreciation for the unconditional love (and mischief)
they give to the volunteers and for the patient service the horses give the riders.
Interplay with the kids can make your day.

I would encourage horse lovers and people who think they may be horse lovers to give Saddle Light a trial run. Volunteers who have worked in other facilities are impressed with the well behaved horses at Saddle Light. For volunteers who are interested in physical therapy, therapy with horses provides unique benefits. Kerstin has a wealth of knowledge and allows those with passion to share ideas.

This is literally the place that helped me to begin my healing process. I learned to express my feelings through the therapy of riding a horse named Kai! The amazing staff helped me to overcome my fears and enjoy myself! This place is amazing!

The Saddle Light Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship has been doing amazing work with the special needs community in and around San Antonio. My son has been riding with them for several years and loves it! We have seen improvements in his strength, confidence, and many other areas. We can't say enough good things about this program and the amazing people who work so hard to help our kids.

Saddle Light has been life-giving for my daughter. She is more confident around adults. She has grown in physical strength and her posture has improved. Her love of horses has grown. We are so grateful for the staff and volunteers who make this wonderful therapeutic opportunity available and horse riding accessible.

Mondays are my best days, because those are my Saddlelight days. The staff at Saddlelight are the best in the business. And the horses are the best in their business! There's something so special about communing with these gentle and giant beasts. It's a privilege to be a part of it.

Saddlelight Center and all the staff and volunteers are amazing! I have been in the program for several years and am so greatful for this program that helps me physically to strengthen and also is so therapeutic and offers me a relief from constant doctor's appointments. The dedication, care and compassion of everyone here is such a blessing.

My husband and I started volunteering here in January and love it! We really enjoy working with the other volunteers, the clients, therapists, and the horses. Not only do we love being able to groom and lead the horses, but we see the difference that hippotherapy makes for clients. What a great place and a wonderful opportunity!

My child has been riding here for five years. Saddle Light provides a unique therapy opportunity tailored to each client. The staff and volunteers are kind, supportive, and respectful of each rider's needs. My child is physically stronger and happy when his sessions are over. It is a great opportunity to receive therapy, enjoy the outdoors, and bond with the amazing horses and ponies - who work hard for the riders, too!

I have been volunteering with SLC for about 6 months now and absolutely love it. The horses, clients, and volunteers are so well cared for and the center is run with the utmost professionalism and dedication to safety. The therapy they provide to riders is invaluable, and I am so thankful to be part of such an impactful organization.

My daughter has been coming to therapy here for about 2 years. In addition to being on the spectrum she has severe anxiety. Riding helps to calm her down and reset every week. She loves coming to therapy and claims her horse as her own.

Most Thursday afternoons you’ll find me at The Saddle Light Center where I’ve been volunteering for over five years. I love walking into the barn and seeing the horses heads looking out of their stalls. I get to work and begin brushing the horses and preparing for today’s lessons.
The Saddle Light Center provides physical, emotional, social and mental therapy through horses and riding. This is possible through the team of wonderful, gentle horses and volunteers, lead by Kerstin who is a physical therapist with specialty training and knowledge in hippotherapy ( horse therapy). Kerstin prepares a therapy plan tailored to each client or rider that gives them the most benefit while having some fun too. The riders find joy and happiness while riding and bonding with the horse, at the same time they receive huge physical benefits too. Kerstin and the other instructors guide the lessons and are very attentive and supportive of the rider and their families.
My role is to help care for the horses by grooming and cleaning the stalls and feeding ,as well as walking along side the riders. It is so rewarding and joyful to interact with the riders and help their growth and improvement. My love of horses is richly expressed and instead of me blessing others, I feel so richly blessed and honored to be part of this program. I’ve met new people and formed new friendships.
The horses are so well cared for by Kerstin and the volunteers. Kerstin is also an expert and excellent therapist who is always vigilant in her approach to the rider’s safety and best interests.

This wonderful organization gives therapeutic aid to numerous children and young adults with disabilities in a loving, kind yet professional manner. As a volunteer, I have seen first hand how well the students are cared for and how much they enjoy their lessons emotionally in addition to receiving the physical benefits. I was new to hippotherapy two years ago when I signed up as a volunteer. The students connect in a way with their horse that they may not always do with a human. It's a balance of trust and understanding between the rider and his horse. They also attain a sense of accomplishment at completing the different tasks while riding and receive lots encouragement and praise from their therapist, horse handler and side walkers. I would encourage anyone who knows of someone with a disability to look in to this program for them. They will not be disappointed!

I’ve been volunteering with the saddle light center for about 5 months now and it has been an amazing experience. I look forward to coming every week and getting to see all the horses. They do such great things here to help those children with special needs and I am so excited to continue serving with them and helping them make a difference in our community!

-Nicholas Scalercio

I’ve been volunteering at Saddle Light Center for six months now and love the work they do. It’s so rewarding to see the joy the horses bring to the riders. It’s a wonderful organization!

Great place to volunteer! Seeing the progress with the kids is worth every minute!

I am currently a volunteer at this nonprofit and I thoroughly enjoy everything they do for these children! I have never seen such creative therapy that helps the children stay focused and have fun at the same time. It is well-run, clean, and a very positive environment for everyone!

We love the Saddle Light Center. Kerstin, the staff, and all the volunteers are so caring and helpful. They are very attentive and provide a safe environment. My daughter loves attending therapeutic horseback riding and has made so much progress. We highly recommend this place!

I have been volunteering here for over three years. All of the volunteers are supper friendly. Each and everyone of the horses you grow to love. You learn to love each of there personalities and how not one horse is the same. These are some of the post friendly, calm, and funny horses I’ve seen. Love this place with all my heart.

I love volunteering at The Saddle Light Center! The horses do a wonderful job of helping their riders learn.

Our daughter has Cerebral Palsy and has been riding at the Saddle Light Center for 17 years. We have seen incredible gains in trunk control, balance, and stability. In addition to the therapeutic benefits, we have also seen a tremendous gain in confidence - she is really proud to let people know she rides Kai (her horse) on Friday nights. (Not many kids get to ride a horse every week.) She has transitioned from a pediatric walker to crutches, although she does still use a wheelchair for long distances. Kerstin has an amazing love for her riders and horses, and her dedication is second to none. We have been beyond pleased with the level of care and attention our daughter receives, and we definitely recommend the Saddle Light Center to any family who is interested in providing a wonderful experience for their loved one.

The Saddle Light Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship is very professional in what they do. They treat their clients with kindness and respect. They understand their needs and disabilities. After going for over 13 years, I have no complaints about them. They are reliable and I can always count on them. This is a fantastic nonprofit organization. I love it!

They provide equine therapy for our autistic child. She loves it. They are professional and caring. They love their work and it shows

We have been going to Saddlelight for about 3 years and have seen amazing physical growth and confidence in our child. The volunteers are amazing, patient and knowledgeable. I would recommend Saddlelight to anyone needing their services.

I love every horse & rider associated with this program. This is a very well-managed volunteer program. Each rider receives therapy designed for specific individual needs.

Love this program! My son has CP and the volunteers are so patient with him. In one year he has progressed so much and enjoys it greatly! A fun, endurance and strength building therapy program.

SLC is a very welcoming and supportive environment. Kerstin and all of the volunteers (and the horses) are all wonderful and extremely supportive. Our son loves his therapeutic rides and is always calmer, happier, and more relaxed after his ride. Thank you, SLC team (and Sydney the horse)!

I am proud to volunteer with these people. Many are volunteers like me but together everyone manages to make a strong impact on those they work with. You can see traces of that it in the riders as well as with their families.

I found them while searching for volunteer opportunities, combining a desire to work with people with special needs and to do something really different for me (which is working with horses).

As is widely known, horses can be incredibly healing and I am greatly honored to be a part of that once a week. I am still learning the horse end of things but hope to continue for a long time.

All of the volunteers are patient, knowledgeable, and are truly set out to make a difference in the world. A very welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that celebrates having fun while doing a job well done.

This is an organization truly making measurable differences in the lives of many individuals. I am impressed with their staff, volunteers, facilities and professionalism. Beyond that, their warmness, empathy and skills are exceptional. I highly recommend supporting the Saddle Light Center!

Saddle Light center has been a part of our lives for some ten plus years.
Our daughter, Robin enjoys her weekly ride and time spent with her horse, King.
Saddle Light offers so much more than therapeutic horseback riding.
Robin has become more vocal through the years and has learned to follow
directions and guide her horse appropriately.
The social aspect has been a great asset also; we enjoy yearly visits to the zoo and to
Morgans Wonderland, courtesy of Saddle Light center and other local agencies.
Kerstin Fosdick, director of SLC also hosts a yearly dinner where she recognizes all of her students and the volunteers who make this program possible.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Ms. Fosdick and all of her staff for all they do in support of the special needs community of San Antonio.
Blessings
Timothy, Debbie and Robin Moore

Volunteering at the Saddle LIght Center is a wonderful experience. The students, the horses, and all of the folks that help run the center create such joy. The Center is a lovely blend of man and animal working together toward the health of the mind and body. Enrichment for all!

I love working with the director, staff, volunteers, clientele, and horses at SLC! It is a place where people can find a true and genuine place to work together, help each other, and effectively help children and others improve their lives and abilities thru the relationship and activity shared with some heartwarming, and gentle giants(horses). I am Blessed to be welcomed to participate in this organization.

Saddle Light provides such a positive environment for children to improve their lives by working with horses. Kerstin provides an excellent structure for the program and goes above and beyond to ensure the horses are kept happy and healthy so they can be the best therapy partners for the kids.

I volunteer as a side walker and personally see the benefits for the kids sometimes even after 10 minutes into the therapy or even in a few months. And the kids always look forward to seeing their horse and interacting with them!

As a still relatively new volunteer, this equine therapy center has been one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences of my life. As a student at UTSA, it is incredible to escape the stress and commotion of college and go spend my time around beautiful horses, charismatic volunteers, and inspiring riders. The volunteer work provides plenty of important and humbling skills and lessons and every volunteer and staff member is happy to help you grow. The horses are all amazingly well mannered in a way that allows people new to volunteering with horses feel more comfortable as they learn the ropes. Hearing the laughter of kids as they have a fun ride and listening to some kids speak words and learn new riding commands for the first time is an experience that would make the volunteering worth it on its own. This center is truly a gift to the San Antonio area and I would recommend it to anyone, either for therapy or as a volunteer opportunity.

My Daughter was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy back in 2013; she has a problem on her right leg and also with balance. After researching on the internet we found The Saddle Light Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship and applied right away. We couldn’t be happier with everybody at the center. Since the first therapy session I could see improvement on my daughter’s walking. As I mentioned before, everybody is so nice with my daughter. They’d really care about people, always giving their best.
Melisa Alatorre
San Antonio, TX

My son loves Cinnamon.
He looks forward to see him.

My son has received the service for over 7 years and he is thoroughly enjoying the lessons. The instructors and volunteers are very attentive to his needs and they go extra miles to make everything right for him. I have nothing but great kudos for them!!!!

My daughter has been doing therapy at the Saddle Light Center for over 5 years now. It is a fantastic experience for her. She started when she was a little over two years old. Now, she cheers each time I tell her that it's horseback riding day. She has no idea of the therapeutic benefit she is getting from her riding, but I can see the improvement in her core strength, walking, and speech from her riding each week. The socialization with the volunteers and the horses also adds her to development. Kerstin Fosdick is the guiding force behind the whole center, and what a blessing she is to everyone who is touched by the Saddle Light Center. I highly recommend this activity for any child who could use a positive boost to their self-esteem, social skills, or physical strength.

I have been volunteering for the Saddle LIght Center for two years, but the center has given me far more benefit than I have given it. Every time I go to help, I am physically, emotionally, and spiritually recharged by the synergy among the staff, the horses, and the riders. Holding the reins, Kirsten Fosdick guides everyone with amazing expertise and compassion. What a positive growing experience this organization provides for all of us!

I have only been volunteering with them for a few months but I have never seen a more organized, nor a more caring center where clients, the horses and the volunteers are all treated with the utmost respect. It is immaculately clean, with everything so clearly marked that we volunteers would be hard pressed to put something in the wrong place! And the tender care, and personal care they offer to each client and to their horses is exemplary.

I knew right away that this experience was going to be as much a benefit to me as it is to them, perhaps more so. If you came in thinking you had a problem in your life, the courage and dedication of the parents of these disabled children humbles you in an instant. Again, the learning and the compassion goes both ways at Saddle Light. We leave enriched, and what a delight to be around horses again! I am so glad I found them! Pat gonser

I have been a volunteer since November 2016 and I absolutely love it. My role as a volunteer is to help prepare the horses prior to lessons and side walking along side the horse/child during lessons. The children during their lessons learn stability, strength, and concentration/mind exercise. It is wonderful to see improvements/growth after every lesson. It truly is a blessing to be a part of such a wonderful organization; working along side other volunteers and spending time with the horses, but most of all I love working with the children and the smiles they share.

They are very encouraging and supportive with both the students and volunteers. They will make a new volunteer feel welcome and offer advice whenever they see its needed to help the volunteers grow.

amazing place and amazing people! Instructors have great insight in the care for the children.

This is an excellent nonprofit organization. It is run by very caring, compassionate, knowledgable and dedicated people. The horses are treated with tender loving care and the clients are treated with dignity and respect and a whole lot of love. It has been my pleasure and a gift to my soul to be able to volunteer with The Saddle Light Center. I think it has helped me more than I have helped them.

This is a great facility with a caring staff and volunteers. They take great care to provide a safe environment for the riders and horses.

This is a top-notch program. It's run professionally and compassionately, providing quality services in a fantastic environment that is welcoming to the riders, their families, and the volunteers who help out. It's a model for any therapeutic riding program, and a model for any volunteer program. They've really got it all down to a beautiful science.

Great place to volunteer my time. They do outstanding things with the clients they work with. It's an honor to take direction from these people. The care and concern for the clients is admirable. A truely professional bunch of people with hearts of gold.

I volunteer at The Saddle Light Center because I wanted to give back to the organization who's made such a wonderful and grand impact on our local community, specifically the families of children with special needs.

I am a new volunteer with Saddle Light, but from the very first meeting, I knew that it was a very special place. I've seen so much courage and confidence from the riders, and I feel that it is a real gift to me to be able to be a part of this program. There is love and respect for riders and horses, and I'm proud to be a part of an organization that works so meaningfully for riders and for their families.

This is my 6th year as a Saddle Light Center volunteer and it just keeps getting better and better. I see the benefits and rewards of this program for the riders, parents, volunteers and therapists. The therapists are very qualified people and bring a new dimension to our disabled rider's lives. This is such a worthy non-profit. It continues to show me that the world is full of wonder.

I am a case manager in the Greater San Antonio TX Area. I cannot say enough about what the Saddle Light Center has provided my client. He loves the experience of riding horses and the staff are amazing. His life has been transformed because of the outings to the Saddle Light Center.

Excellent, kids love to ride the horses and look forward to this weekly activity, staff and volunteers are very dedicated, helpful. In general terms this is a very well managed and organized non profit.

A beautiful group of people volunteering their time day to day in order to bring joy and better functionality to the many riders.

They are most caring and professional group. Great care is taken in the therapy given each student. Horses receive the best care and love❤

We are forever grateful for the Saddle Light Center. Kerstin and staff and so helpful and patient. I have seen my son blossom and become more confident. He is so proud of his horse. Kerstin cares about my son and his development.

Our daughter is now 26 years old and has been riding since she was 3 years old. Not only did it help her all those years ago to start walking but it continues to help with her balance, coordination and motor skills. Kerstin has the best volunteers working with these individuals.

Love the staff, volunteers and of course the horses!

My son takes lessons. it's a wonderful place for therapy!

The Saddle Light is an absolutely awesome program for so many individuals. Kerstin, her staff and volunteers are so committed to the success of each participant. The dedication and care they give each individual the most pure form of a selfless heart. The volunteers and staff are so attentive and each person involved goes above and beyond. They also take excellent care of all the horses intrusted to their care. My daughter is a recipient of this wonderful program.

Retired usmc disabled This facility is outstanding Follows CAT regime to the letter. Very detailed oriented. Christen has unlimited knowledge patience and works extremely well with everyone

I have volunteered at The Saddle Light Center for 4 1/2 years. I love what we do here! I love helping the riders, taking care of the horses and making friends with the other volunteers.

I was looking for a place to volunteer so I could be around horses again. I am SO happy that I found the Sadlle Light Center. Volunteering here is the one thing I look forward to during the week. The people and horses are so awesome. Great place to be

Walking inside the stables allowed exposed me to a new environment. I was able to help others and work in a team. It is a very rewarding and enlightening experience for me and many others.

I started as a volunteer and fell in love with the saddle light center. Everyone from the staff to the volunteers truely are amazing. It's easy when you work with such amazing clients! To see the smiles and watch some so shy come out of thier shells to form relationships with a horse; it touches your soul. I later became the volunteer coordinator and learned just how generous people truely are when they find a nonprofit they believe in. The hours, weeks, months and years given , along with money, in order to give amazing people a chance to experience such a great form of therapy. I wish there were more such therapeutic experiences available.
Sincerely,
Nikki Moore

AWESOME place, life changing for everyone. I was lucky enough to be a rider who found relief from severe spasms and strength from core work while riding. For 1 hour I was able to put my disability aside and enjoy the time with my horse and all the amazing people that made this happen, thank you "angels on earth"

Great place to be any day of the week. The people are supportive and friendly. Very educated in their crafts and profession. Great laid back atmosphere to work in, with wonderful co-workers. You always leave wanting to come back again. The kids are great and the volunteers are great. Awesome place!!

I started volunteering at Saddle Light to get comfortable with horses again after a long hiatus. In the process I've had the privelege of meeting some amazing people and horses and seeing how riding can change a life!

I have been a volunteer for over 7 years and am loving it. It's great to have the interaction with the kids and see their progress. Most of all, it's wonderful how much most of them enjoy being on a horse or pony. It's a great organization in helping children and some grownups with their disabilities.

When we first came to Saddle Light my son Diego was unable to sit up or walk. He would swade his head back and fourth all day. Now he doesnt swade head as much he can sit up independently with no help and is walking with assistance. Im so thankful for Good Lord sending us to Kristen, our lives have changed and we have hope to see my little 5 year old Diego to walk independently.

I have been a volunteer at the Saddle Light Center for about 1 month. It is amazing to see how horses are used to help children and people with disabilities. The organization is run in a professional manner while allowing every person and horse to shine. The stories of physical improvement in the clients is astounding. I am excited to be a part of this organization.

I have been volunteering for a few months now. I have done barn chores, side walking, and horse leading. I have gotten to see the progress that these children make. I have seen how much the staff cares about what they do. Every duty and job is done with a smile. Great organization.

It has been a wonderful five years for our son who looks forward to his weekly ride therapy. Ms. Kerstin and the volunteers are the most amazing people who truly love and care for all of the riders. They pay attention to the kids (& adults) to make certain no one will get hurt and that they able to get the maximum benefit from their therapy. We look forward to taking our son there for many more years. We recommend Saddle Light to anyone who needs hippotherapy or another form of physical therapy. Love this place!

Kerstin is a saint! She relates to the children and gets such a response, it's heart-warming. She cares for each horse individually, carefully matching horse with client. I'm always amazed from watching each session. I'm a proud volunteer for over 4 years and am still not sure who is getting the therapy, myself or clients. Would recommend highly!!!

Speaking from the Volunteer perspective this is an amazing organization. Blessed that I can serve in helping the kiddos overcome their obstacles with the aide of therapist and horses. Hats off to the Outstanding Staff, Therapists and Horses!