Special Equestrians

What it reported doing in 2024

Special Equestrians provides therapeutic riding and hippotherapy to children and adults with a wide range of mental, physical, developmental and emotional disabilities. These disabilities include but are not limited to autism spectrum disorders, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Individuals participate in weekly lessons during three terms: Fall, Spring and Summer. A typical lesson is taught by a certifed Therapeutic Riding Instructor with training specific to people with disabilities. It lasts 35 - 45 minutes and teaches riding skills appropriate to the individuals abilties. Classes may also include caring for, grooming, and tacking the horse. Special Equestrians serve over 100 individuals a year and holds Premier Accredited Status, the highest recognition possible, from PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). The objective of the program is to maximize the physical, cognitive and emotional benefits of therapeutic horseback riding for each participant. Many of the physical benefits are related to the fact that the tri-dimensional hip action of the horse is similar to that of a human. The motion of the horse stimulates dormant nerves, while relaxing and stretching the muscles. It helps to enhance balance, strength and endurance while stimulating circulation and respiration. Therapeutic riding also provides many emotional and psychological benefits. It requires focus, memory utilization, motor planning, sequencing and decision-making skills. Riding necessitates the development of human-animal bonding skills and the ability to respond and adapt to changing situations. It can allow those who demonstrate aggression and/or hyperactivity to channel their behavior into constructive activity and improve the ability or will to follow directions.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 81.3%; rating input score 81
• Program expense ratio: 88.3%; rating input score 88
• Fundraising efficiency: $15.1 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 50; 50th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 64th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 5 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 71
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 8.1%; rating input score 57; 57th percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 1.08; rating input score 43; 43rd percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0; rating input score 53; 53rd percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 69; 69th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 2.9% per year; rating input score 100; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 3.6% per year; rating input score 100; 44th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 9% per year; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings