Support our Rainbow Riders this GLP Day!

Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center has been providing equine assisted activities to a variety of students with physical, emotional, and mental health challenges for 40 years. 

Some riders want to improve mobility, others want to increase their ability to understand the world around them. The goals are as many and varied as the students who ride with us, but all of them want to change their lives for the better!

Riders with mental health challenges develop emotional regulation and coping strategies, helping them manage anxiety and stress more effectively;

Riders with physical disabilities experience increased motor skills, better balance, and coordination through structured riding activities, which help foster greater independence in daily life;

And all our students develop increased confidence and resilience as they bond with horses and engage in goal-oriented tasks.

The supportive environment we nurture at Rainbow encourages social interaction, reduces feelings of isolation, and benefits the wider community by fostering inclusivity and better understanding.

We currently serve 300+ participants annually but have a waitlist of more than 70 students. Only with your support will we be able to expand our programs and make a bigger impact in our community. 

As we celebrate Rainbow’s 40th anniversary, we want to make this our biggest and best fundraising season yet! Support us this Giving Tuesday so we can support those who need it most in the community by giving as generously as you can.

Thank you for supporting Rainbow and its Riders!

Grace's parents share their story about what Rainbow means to them:

"Rainbow Riding has supported our daughter’s growth in more ways than one. Since Grace could talk, she has struggled with sensory sensitivities, severe anxiety, and emotional regulation. In fact, the first time we visited Rainbow Riding we had to carry her out due to a significant meltdown. 

"As a parent, I always felt the need to apologize or explain such behavior but at Rainbow Riding, I could tell there was no judgement or reservations about working with our daughter. I knew they wanted to help her as much as we wanted to get her support. Maddie started slow with Grace as we expressed our concern that she might struggle with the helmet and wearing pants in the heat but, there was no expectation. She truly went by Grace’s pace. The instructors told us that these sessions didn’t always need to involve riding to be successful. 

"As her sessions progressed we watched her emotional flexibility improve, her core support strengthen, and her ability to follow directions skyrocket. It was thrilling! But perhaps the most profound development was her confidence. Up to this point in her life, Grace couldn’t access extra curricular activities. She has always had friends who played soccer, did ballet, or swam and due to her struggles, Grace was never able to participate in these things. I could tell it bothered her. Until now. Finally, Grace had a hobby. It was unique and challenging and it was an activity that quite literally gave her the reins. 

"So much of her life has been out of her control and I can think of the many times that Grace has cried out in the middle of a meltdown “I can’t help it!”. But in learning simple horse riding cues at Rainbow Riding, Grace has gained a sense of control over something much bigger than her, which I think is symbolic on many levels.  Rainbow Riding has changed our lives in more ways than we can count and I am so grateful for the opportunity to watch my daughter thrive in this way."

Rainbow relies on the generosity of its donors and volunteers to provide equine assisted activities to students of all ages and continue to help people like Grace. Please help us continue our important work this Give Local Piedmont Day. Thank you.