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About Us

We are non-profit organization, created in 1991, to help people reach their full potential. Since then, through the generosity of our Sponsors and Volunteer work force, we currently provide equine therapy for riders of all ages each week.

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About Us

Overview

For nearly 30 years, disabled children as young as 2 years of age in Bexar County have experienced the rewards of therapeutic riding and hippotherapy at our Center.
The Saddle Light Center is registered as a physical therapy facility by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners. We are also a Premier Accredited Center with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH). Our Therapeutic Riding lessons are provided only by PATH Certified Instructors.

We currently provide ongoing Therapeutic Riding, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Hippotherapy to approximately 60 riders. Individuals age 2 and up with a diagnosed disability are referred to us by doctors, therapists, schools, and agencies which advocate and coordinate services for the disabled of our area.

Our goal is to inspire our riders to accomplishments previously considered beyond their capabilities.

Mission

Our mission is to provide professional equestrian therapy for children, teenagers and adults with neurological, orthopedic, learning, emotional or other disabilities.

Team Members

Kerstin L. Fosdick, LPT

Executive Director of the Saddle Light Center

Education/ Experience

  • Graduated from Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas December 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy
  • January 1993 to January 2001 worked as a Staff Physical Therapist, Clinical Instructor and Center Coordinator of Clinical Education at Gonzales Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital
  • October 1999 assumed leadership of the Saddle Light Center as Program Director, Board President and Executive Director

Certifications

  • PATH International Certificate of Registration in Hippotherapy
  • PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor

Read full biography...

    Lois Horton

    Assistant Horse Trainer

    Brian Purcell

    PATH Certified Riding Instructor

    Education

    • BS Degree from Boston College

    Read full biography...

      Lara Russell, PTA

      PATH Registered Therapist in Hippotherapy

      Lara is a PTA and PATH Registered Therapist  in Hippotherapy and wife to Chris.  They have two great girls - Chelsea & Dakota - and have lived in 7 different states due to his US Air Force career.   "I got to Texas as quickly as I could!" said Lara.  She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology and feels  blessed to have found the Saddle Light Center to use her PTA degree with horses and hippotherapy. In her spare time she loves to garden & do Zumba.

        Lindsey Miller

        Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI)

        Lindsey started as an instructor on Thursdays in October. She is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI). Prior to earning her certification, Lindsey volunteered for several years at 2 other therapeutic riding establishments, SOAR in San Marcos and SIRE in Spring. She also was a summer camp instructor at Llano Horsemanship. Lindsey is currently a music teacher and has taught at Fortbend ISD and Schertz Cibolo Uni-versal City ISD. We are happy to welcome her to Saddle Light!

          Board of Directors

          2022 Board Members

          Term/
          Since
          Board Members
          2/2024
          2001
          Kerstin L. Fosdick, LPT,
          President (Private Practice)
          2/2023
          2011
          Patricia Lucas, VP,
          PA-C (US Air Force, Retired)

          2/2024
          2021
          Vicki Howard,
          Secretary (Retired)
          2/2022
          2007
          Bruce Jennings,
          Client Representative
          2/2022
          2004
          Alison Gragg,
          Fundraising Chair
          (Private business)
          2/2023
          2011
          Jolanda Straathof,
          Treasurer
          (Private business)
          2/2024
          2018
          Justin James Hoffman,
          Attorney at Law
          6/2022
          2019
          Hacene Benchikha, CPSM
          2/2022
          2015
          Clint Butler, CPA,
          Private Business

          2022 Advisory Board Members

          Board Members
          Michael J. Dwyer, MD
          Keith Huffman & Michael F. Martin DVM

          More About Us

          About Equine Therapy

          About Equine Therapy

          In Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy the utilization of the horse and related exercises may seem similar, but the focuses and objectives are radically different.
          Additional Resources

          Additional Resources

          Here is some additional resources to help those with special needs.
          FAQs

          FAQs

          If you have a question, perhaps you can find the answer here!
          In Memoriam

          In Memoriam

          Native 2013 NATIVE the grand lady of the Saddle Light Center program. Native was with us since before 1993, when she was loaned to us by the grandfather of one of our riders. Native was a big horse with a wide back, so she was a good choice for...
          Meet Our Horses

          Meet Our Horses

          Most people don't realize what good horses therapy horses must be.
          Meet Our Volunteers

          Meet Our Volunteers

          Our volunteers make it possible for us to do so much for the community.
          Our Sponsors

          Our Sponsors

          We have some organizations and foundations that provide donations to our Scholarship program; this enables individuals to have access to our program, which otherwise may not have been afforded.