Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship’s farm in the small enclave of Bedford Corners feels like you’re stepping into a sanctuary because it is one. This nonprofit organization caters to those looking to recover from a variety of issues including but not limited to PTSD and domestic violence, or those needing supplemental therapy or assistance while dealing with Alzheimer’s, physical disabilities, or neurodiverse conditions.
The Origins of Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship
Emily Wygod Bushnell, executive director of Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship, began her career in equine therapy after growing up in the thoroughbred business and volunteering at a therapeutic riding center in California.
“I’m a lifelong horse person. I grew up with a family that was in the thoroughbred business and always just loved horses; they’re such powerful, amazing creatures. I feel like my life would be very different if I didn’t have that relationship,” Bushnell says.
After studying psychology in college, she became interested in combining her two passions. Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship started 11 years ago with Bushnell and her cofounder Caroline Black, whose son has a number of disabilities but benefited from training horses alongside Bushnell. From there, Bushnell and Black decided to put the idea into action.
“My co-founder and I started with a really small program — like 12 kids, two ponies — and we just were kind of waiting to see how it grew and what the interest was and the feedback of the community,” Bushnell shares. “And now fast forward 11 years, we have our forever home in Bedford Corners. We have a beautiful facility, and we see about 900 people a year.”
What to Expect from Equine Therapy
A typical session consists of riding or engaging emotionally with a horse based on the temperament or issue with the individual. Someone with ADHD versus PTSD will benefit from a horse with a different stride or temperament.
“When you work with horses, whether you’re on the ground or riding, your bodies start interacting when you’re about eight feet apart. So, if your heart’s racing, or if you’re feeling anxious, the horse is going to start mimicking those behaviors because they’re herd animals and that’s how they keep each other safe,” Bushnell explains, adding that, “it gives the man or woman the opportunity to observe the behavior, see what’s going on, and then work on grounding and calming themselves and watching that reaction with the horse.”
For those new to equine therapy, the initial interaction can be both surprising and highly informative, since it prompts an increased awareness of both an individual’s surroundings and internal state.
“It’s kind of this cyclic relationship that causes a realization, a change, like a cause and effect,” Bushnell observes. “They see you right here at that moment, and so you’re able to create this trust, this opportunity for healing and addressing what your challenges are.”
Tamlyn Nathanson, the program and operations director and equine specialist in mental health and learning at Endeavor, describes the sessions with veterans as unique in their approach to healing from PTSD. During the encounters, a vet will be placed in a paddock with up to three horses. Items that may bring up memories of time in the military or objects with words that may stimulate a certain emotion may be placed inside the paddock. Slowly, the individual can process each emotion related to the word or object.
Nathanson recalls witnessing profound change among clients after just a few lessons, citing the venue’s calming and caring atmosphere as an ideal place to heal and process emotions. Along with connecting with horses, Endeavor has a sanctuary garden for those looking to connect with nature.
“It’s a great place just to listen and see and smell what’s around you,” Nathanson says.
Meaningful Therapy Solutions
As a certified therapeutic riding instructor, Bushnell works alongside clinicians who use multiple forms of therapy, including an animal assisted psychology model that has been helpful for people who don’t like traditional talk therapy. The largest clientele at Endeavor are veterans recovering from PTSD. There are also programs for those in prison, and Endeavor provides a 10-week therapeutic horsemanship program at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility and Taconic Correctional Facility with a focus on vocational rehabilitation.
“My personal goal is to get someone fully released from a correctional facility and get employment or go through the vocational program as an at-risk individual or a veteran and move on to employment. That piece of the puzzle of getting employment and getting stability, I think, is crucial to what we do,” Bushnell says.
The therapeutic horsemanship program is open to anyone four years of age and older to learn riding and horsemanship skills. The program adapts its methods of teaching based on the needs of the individuals.
“We have children, we have young adults and then we have a more mature population of people in their 70s or 80s that might have Alzheimer’s or MS and that really love spending time with the horses,” Bushnell observes, adding that, “there’s obviously the therapeutic benefits of riding, whether it’s working on your core strength, following multi-step directions, [or] working on your postural alignment. All of these things happen naturally while you’re learning a new fun sport or doing a fun activity.”
Research has shown the efficacy of equine assisted therapy, showcasing changes in brain structure post-therapy and reductions in recidivism rates among incarcerated individuals who participate in these sessions, highlighting the impacts of horse-human interactions. Researchers from Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York State Psychiatric Institute have successfully implemented this study with veterans.
Endeavor’s Presence in Westchester
Locally, Endeavor’s equine-assisted learning program partners with a number of primary schools in Westchester County and provides field trip opportunities during which it takes the learning objectives of the school, whether they be counting and math, learning kindness and empathy and the right way of social interactions, or different pieces of history, and addresses them at the farm.
“We create lesson plans with the teachers at the school and then we also work with able-bodied classrooms to talk about all different types of populations and open people’s eyes to different people that use these services and why this works,” Bushnell says.
In total, the nonprofit organization works with over 20 different community partners. The veteran and equine prison programs are completely free. The rest of the programs are subsidized. Those who need financial assistance can apply for the Charlie Rose Memorial Fund Scholarship, named after a younger volunteer who died unexpectedly.
Coming up at Endeavor
This fall, Endeavor will host its first horse show since the pandemic. On September 7, it will hold its annual Endeavor Family BBQ, a fun-filled day at the farm with pony rides and face painting. Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship is a place that nurtures community, connection, and healing. Those interested in a consultation can call 914.241.0211 or email program@endeavorth.org. For general inquiries, reach out to Emily Bushnell at emily.bushnell@endeavorth.org.
Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc
556 Croton Lake Rd, Bedford Corners
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