College Collaborator Opens New Indoor Arena on Campus

Indoor Ring Ribbon Cutting with Scissors

SUNY Old Westbury joined in the festivities recently when Horseabililty opened a new indoor riding arena on campus.

Horseabililty, a not-for-profit organization specializing in equine therapy and hippotherapy, operates from the Clark Family Stables located on the College's campus. The new 81-foot by 200-foot indoor riding arena will ensure HorseAbililty's ability to offerservices and programs year-round. HorseAbililty works with approximately 300 families per week for those with special needs, Alzheimer’s disease and veterans's through programs that include horseback riding lessons with a therapeutic value, school field trips, physical therapy, occupational therapy, vocational training and speech therapy.

In addition to its core services, HorseAbililty partners with the College in a variety of ways to support the educational and co-curricular needs of SUNY Old Westbury students. Chief among the collaborations in place are:

  • HorseAbility's service as a site for students to get field experience in support of their pursuit of undergraduate degrees in Psychology and graduate degrees in Mental Health Counseling.
  • The offering of a minor in in Equine Management and Therapeutic Horsemanship in cooperation with the College's School of Professional Studies.  (No longer offered as of May 2019)

Among those from the College in attendance at the ribbon cutting were Assistant to the President for Administration William Kimmins and School of Professional Studies Director Dr. Edward Bever.

 Photo Caption:  Board members, staff and friends of HorseAbililty along with William Kimmins of SUNY Old Westbury cut the ribbon on the new indoor riding arena the not-for-profit has opened on campus.