One day after leaving the hospital, Peggi Noon headed straight back to the barn. The cancer survivor and founder of Pegasus Riding Academy in Savannah keeps her program alive for dozens of local children who rely on therapeutic horseback riding to build confidence and skills.
Rising feed prices and lost funding now put that mission at risk. Noon and her small team wonder how much longer they can continue without more community help.
Founder Turns Personal Hardship Into Lifeline for Families
Peggi Noon received a stage four head and neck cancer diagnosis in 2014. She moved to Savannah for treatment and brought her horses along. Around the same time one of her horses suffered a serious injury on Ossabaw Island after an alligator attack and lost an eye. Noon refused to give up on the animal. She and her brother loaded the horse into a trailer and brought it home to safety.
With three horses and her PATH International certification in hand she launched Pegasus out of necessity. The program became the only therapeutic riding center in the Savannah area that operated continuously through the entire COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic four programs served the region. Today only two remain active.
The Powerful Bond Between Horses and Children
Pegasus welcomes children age four and older. Participants include kids on the autism spectrum, those with Down syndrome, skeletal muscular conditions, emotional trauma and other challenges. The academy partners with Special Olympics and groups like Brightside to reach more families.
The connection between rider and horse creates unique results. Noon explains that when a child mounts a horse cortisol levels drop while positive brain chemicals rise for both the child and the animal. Volunteers witness transformations that go beyond words.
They all seem to have some inherent ability to communicate with the horses even if they cannot speak well with people said volunteer Jim Glenn.
Linda Duncan another volunteer remembers the first time a mostly nonverbal child spoke during a lesson. Hearing them say commands like whoa or walk on or even a volunteer’s name feels incredible. The children gain purpose and a sense of achievement.
Research from equine assisted services shows measurable gains. Children with autism often improve in sensory integration and attention. Riders with balance issues develop better stability and coordination. Many participants build emotional regulation and social skills through the consistent rhythm of the horse’s movement.
Financial Pressures Mount as Expenses Climb
Feed and hay prices continue their upward climb. A bale of hay that once cost about nine dollars before the pandemic now runs fourteen dollars or more. Broader economic factors including weather impacts and production costs keep pushing expenses higher for equine programs nationwide.
When Family Services lost medical funding several sponsored children had to leave the program. New resources helped some return but gaps remain. Noon cannot simply raise fees to match the increases because many families already stretch to participate.
The program faces an uncertain future unless more support arrives soon.
Pegasus operates as a nonprofit with limited staff. Noon handles much of the daily work herself while facing her own recent health hurdles. Barn rent equipment repairs and basic horse care add up quickly. A new GoFundMe campaign aims to cover immediate needs like feed and facility upkeep with a modest goal that reflects the grassroots nature of the effort.
Community Support Offers Path to Keep Program Alive
Volunteers form the backbone of Pegasus. Each rider typically needs one horse leader and two side walkers plus the instructor. This hands-on model creates deep community involvement while keeping costs manageable.
The academy hosts events to raise awareness and funds. A Kentucky Derby themed Run for the Roses party is scheduled for May 2 at the barn on Tennessee Avenue. Guests can enjoy the festive atmosphere while learning about the program’s impact and contributing directly to its survival.
Donations large and small make a difference. Local businesses and individuals have stepped up in the past with everything from feed deliveries to equipment help. Noon emphasizes that the need has never been greater as more families seek these services.
Similar therapeutic riding centers across the country report parallel challenges. Many face the same combination of inflation in animal care costs and shifts in grant funding. Yet programs like Pegasus deliver outsized benefits for participants who often have few affordable alternatives for physical and emotional growth.
Parents report children returning home more confident and engaged after sessions. Some kids who struggle in traditional settings open up around the horses. The consistent routine and gentle movement provide therapy that feels like play.
The smiles these children share after a successful ride remind everyone why the hard work matters.
Pegasus stands as more than a riding program. It represents resilience for both the founder who overcame cancer and the young riders who discover new abilities through their equine partners. As costs rise the Savannah community has a chance to rally around one of its most unique resources for children with special needs.
The coming weeks will prove critical. With the recent attention from local news and the active fundraiser momentum is building. Every contribution whether time money or simply sharing the story helps ensure these life changing sessions can continue.
What are your thoughts on the importance of therapeutic programs like this one in local communities? Share in the comments below and consider reaching out to support Pegasus Riding Academy if you live in the Savannah area.
