The Mission of Reins of Life
Enhancing the physical, emotional, and cognitive abilities of children, young adults, and adults with special needs and life challenges through the experience of equestrian therapy in a pleasant and natural environment.
About Reins of Life
Reins of Life was established in 1993 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, becoming one of the first of its kind in Chester County.
We are well recognized as a successful therapeutic riding program for children and adults with special needs as well as life challenges. The program has helped children and adults with diverse needs make tremendous strides in improving the quality of their lives through therapeutic horseback riding.
Our special equestrians never age-out of our riding program.
We also offer a “Sibling Riding” program, helping to provide greater family inclusiveness and family bonding.
Our farm, located in Landenberg, Pennsylvania, borders Maryland and Delaware.
At Reins of Life we strive to achieve physical development, socialization and learning through fun equine activities and riding as we instill a great sense of success, confidence, and accomplishment in our riders.
Founder, Judy Freedman Hendrickson
Judy F. Hendrickson has served as Founding Director and Executive Director of Reins of Life since its inception in 1993, having had the profound experience volunteering in a similar therapeutic riding program. That program turned her life around and prompted a strong desire to start an organization of her own dedicated to helping challenged individuals through therapeutic riding.
Judy attended Temple University in the early 1970’s, with a course curriculum in Elementary Education. She later studied Equine Science at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Following that, she took specialized training in equine assistive therapy through the PA Council on Therapeutic Horsemanship. Judy is specially trained in equine assistive therapy and as a certified therapeutic riding instructor through Thorncroft Equestrian Center.
Judy currently lives in Landenberg, Pennsylvania on the property of Reins of Life with her husband, their dog Colby, and the therapy horses.