About Alleghany Trail Blazers

Alleghany County, North Carolina does not have an abundance of non-profit community services for those with special needs.

Fortunately, for those who are mentally and physically disabled, Alleghany Trail Blazers is a new, non-profit organization reaching out and providing life changing experiences through the use of therapeutic horseback riding.

We introduce individuals to the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding with the help of a group of committed volunteers dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with intellectual, physical, emotional, and social disabilities.

Thus far, whe have provided horseback riding experiences for children with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, ADHD, Downs Syndrome, Seizures, Sensory Integration Disorder, and Anger Management issues. We also serve adults with spinal injuries and those who have suffered strokes.

Why Horseback Riding?

Therapeutic horseback riding helps people with mental and physical challenges to achieve a quality of life that is improved, enhanced, and enriched.

Based on input from doctors, therapists, teachers, and parents, the riders' individual goals are designed to complement ongoing therapy and education.

The benefits of horseback riding are three-fold:

1. PHYSICAL - The three-dimensional motion of the the horse provides the rider hip and back actions that stimulate natural walking. Riding relaxes and strengthens muscles while improving body tone, posture, balance, joint mobility, and coordination.
2. EMOTIONAL - Contact with horses and horsemanship training provides a non-competitive setting for learning new abilities, self-discipline, and improved concentration, all of which build self-confidence.
3. SOCIAL - Horseback riding nurtures a positive self-image. Riders for the first time in their lives experience a degree of independence and sense of being part of a team.

Alleghany Trail Blazers is located in Glade Valley, NC near the Blue Ridge Parkway, on US Highway 21, South of Sparta, NC. As individuals with special needs benefit from the work of ATB, so too ATB could benefit from financial support from individuals, groups, organizations, and corporations in order to continue serving the individuals of Alleghany and surrounding counties. Monetary contributions may be mailed to:

Alleghany Trail Blazers, Inc.
P.O. Box 532
Glade Valley, NC 28627

Born with Cerebral Palsey in 1985, 22-year-old Marshall thrives on horseback. Marshall rides just two days a week, but his father, David, sees a huge in Marshall's speech, balance, endurance, and fine motor skills.

Showing a strong competitive spirit, Marshall continues to challenge his own "personal best." His endurance record after just three months of riding is one hour and six minutes.

Before Marshall began riding, he refused to sit at the table or to eat solid food. A choking incident at dinner one night frightened him to the point where he insisted on taking liquid meals in a separate room of the house. After his first therapeutic riding session, Marshall joined the family at the kitchen table and worked to feed himself again.

Marshall may be besieged by physical challenges, but he possesses a quick sense of humor.

While working on his motor skills, his motor skills, his riding instructor asked him to lasso the head of a plastic steer. Typical of any 22-year-old young man, Marshall chose instead to lasso Candice, the attractive 21-year-old volunteer standing next to the steer.

According to his family and friends, Alleghany Trail Blazers has changed Marshall's life.