About Us 

Athelas Therapeutic Riding, Inc. is a 501 c(3) non-profit agency located at Northfield Farms in Otsego County, in scenic upstate New York. Athelas offers various equine assisted activities to individuals with physical, mental and emotional challenges in a caring, relaxed atmosphere.

Athelas provides opportunities for people with varying ability levels to challenge themselves physically and emotionally and to set goals to improve their quality of life through activities with horses.

Athelas Therapeutic Riding Inc. operates under the direction of Program Manager and Lead Instructor Anneliese Gilchrest, (BA, Therapeutic Horsemanship, St. Andrews Presbyterian College). All lessons are conducted by our certified instructors or instructors in training, a team of dedicated volunteers, and using horses selected for their dispositions and training to accommodate the special needs of our clients.

Our therapeutic riding instructors design lessons that foster responsibility and independence, build self-esteem and teamwork, improve social skills, eye-hand coordination, balance, muscle tone, posture, speech, communication, physical strength, horsemanship skills, and relieve stress and anxiety.