Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT SERVICES DOES RIDING TO THE TOP OFFER?

RTT offers a number of Equine Assisted Services including:

Therapeutic Horsemanship which includes therapeutic riding (also known as adaptive riding), carriage driving, and unmounted/ground lessons.
Equine Assisted Learning in Education where RTT works in collaboration with school educators to provide experiential (and virtual) learning services to schools for children receiving special education services.
Hippotherapy which at RTT is provided by a PT or an OT and utilizes equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes as part of a larger treatment program.
Therapeutic Carriage Driving where clients focus on harnessing and driving the horse from a cart/carriage.

(Note: we do not bill any third party insurers).

HOW DO I KNOW WHICH EQUINE ASSISTED SERVICE IS RIGHT FOR ME/MY CHILD/MY CLIENT?

Before any new client is enrolled in programming, Riding To The Top’s Program Director meets with the new client (and family/caregivers) to conduct an assessment. This assessment allows RTT staff to review the client’s goals/needs and determine what service area will work best for that individual’s goals (as well as the optimal lesson format private/semi-private or group as well as the length of lesson 30, 45 or 60 minutes). This also allows us to consider other factors such as instructor, volunteer, and horse needs.

HOW ARE LESSONS/SERVICES PROVIDED?

RTT offers lessons in blocks of time by the term or semester. The Winter and Summer terms are typically 6 weeks in length, and the Spring and Fall semesters are 14 weeks in length. Lessons are offered year-round, 5 days a week. RTT is fortunate to have a heated indoor arena, outdoor arena, and miles of beautiful trails.

WHAT IS THE YOUNGEST/OLDEST AGE THAT RIDING TO THE TOP ACCEPTS INTO THE PROGRAM?

Each client’s goal(s) and circumstances are unique, but Riding To The Top has found that in most cases clients as young as age 3 can benefit from the RTT program. Children under the age of 5 are usually started with one of our therapists who are also certified therapeutic riding instructors (PT or OT). For seniors there is no age limit and we’ve had clients in their 90s!

IS A REFERRAL NEEDED FOR SERVICES AT RIDING TO THE TOP?

Anyone can refer someone to RTT including yourself, a family member, friends, school personnel, a therapist or a physician. As part of our Client Registration paperwork, we do require a medical professional’s signature—this can be any medical provider who is actively involved in the client’s care (physician, PT, OT, nurse, etc.).

HOW DO I REGISTER?

To be considered for our programs, interested participants should complete RTT’s Client Registration form and, if needed, our Financial Aid form. Complete the form(s), including all necessary signatures, and return via mail to: RTT, 14 Lilac Drive, Windham, Maine 04062; via fax (207) 892-6523 or via email: info@ridingtothetop.org.

For security purposes please do not email financial information. You can mail it to 14 Lilac Dr. Windham Maine 04062 or Fax it to 207-892-6523

WHEN CAN I EXPECT TO GET STARTED?

Once the Client Registration form is received and complete, we will let you know. The information will then be reviewed and the individual will be added to our waitlist. When space becomes available in the program, applicants will be contacted and an assessment is scheduled. The assessment will be conducted by our Program Director or a licensed PT (depending on the needs of the individual). Time spent on our waitlist is dependent on availability of days/times of the individual along with the availability of our instructors, volunteers and horses.

DOES RIDING TO THE TOP TAKE INSURANCES/MAINECARE? Riding To The Top does not bill any insurances. For clients who need assistance, RTT offers four levels of financial aid, ranging from a 45% to 90% reduction in lesson cost, for individuals/families who qualify. To apply for RTT’s donor-funded Financial Aid, please complete the Financial Aid form found on RTT’s website under the program menu. Financial Aid is awarded annually for 14 weeks of services. Please provide all required information including proof of income, number of dependents (all individuals claimed on your tax return), etc.

For security purposes please do not email financial information. You can mail it to 14 Lilac Dr. Windham Maine 04062 or Fax it to 207-892-6523

DO YOU OFFER CHILDREN’S RIDING CAMPS? During the summer, Riding To The Top offers a variety of 4-day summer camp programs for children. For more information about our summer camp program visit our Camps Page

DOES RIDING TO THE TOP OFFER TRAIL RIDES? Riding To The Top does not offer trail rides to the general public.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the RTT main office at 207-892-2813 x10 or info@ridingtothetop.org and someone will be pleased to answer any additional questions that you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions

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