42 Years of Therapeutic Horsemanship

Equi-librium began in 1981 as Monroe County Riding for the Handicapped by a group of dedicated volunteers from Monroe County 4H and the Monroe County Easter Seal Society. It served five children, all with cerebral palsy and had one instructor. Starting as a summer only program, within 3 years, it became a 3 season program – spring, summer and fall. When 4-H withdrew, the program changed its name to Pocono RISE (Riding Instruction for Special Equestrians). In 1988, the program merged with Easter Seals of the Lehigh Valley and the Poconos becoming Easter Seal RISE, and began to conduct programs at various commercial equestrian centers by renting their horses and facilities. The program grew in numbers and program diversification serving over 75 participants per week.  In 2001, Easter Seal RISE became an independent non-profit changing its name to Equi-librium, Inc. and leased a facility in Snydersville. Equi-librium purchased their own horses, and began serving over 110 participants from Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Carbon, Pike, Luzerne counties as well as counties in Western New Jersey.

 In 2013, Equi-librium purchased an 18 acre farm in Nazareth, Bushkill Township, and in 2014 began operations, increased programming and now serves over 100 participants each week.  Equi-librium, a Premier Accredited Center of PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International, is one of only eight centers in Pennsylvania to hold premier accreditation.

 2021 marked the 20th year that Equi-libium has been an independent non-profit.  It also marked the 40th year the program has been in existence - a milestone!