Hidden Gems: Bakas Equestrian Center
Bakas Equestrian Center can be found hidden away off the Racetrack Road, at the second location in its nearly 40-year history. In 1987, Tampa attorney John Bakas learned from his neighbor how hard it was for the neighbor to get around a horse stable while in a wheelchair – and from there the Bakas Horses for Handicapped 501c3 program was founded with help from the Kiwanis, Rough Riders, and other local groups.
About twenty years ago the program moved from Lake Conservation Park to its current location, the Bakas Equestrian Center. What started as a handful of horses, three employees, three volunteers, and a couple stalls in Lake Park has become a sixteen-horse operation with dozens of volunteers. The staff, all Hillsborough County employees, are still few but their experience and expertise is beyond compare.
The Equestrian Center isn’t like our parks and preserves with equestrian trails – it’s focus isn’t on recreational riding, but instead on therapeutic riding for people with disabilities. They provide therapeutic horseback riding activities for children and adults aged 4+ with cognitive and physical disabilities in a wide range of personalized goal-based activities that may include equestrian disciplines such as Western and English equitation, trail course obstacles, trail riding, English and Western dressage, barrel racing and pole bending.
Therapeutic horseback riding is a form of therapeutic intervention that involves interactions between individuals with physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges and horses. The goal is to improve various aspects of the participant's well-being, including physical strength, balance, coordination, and emotional regulation. Riders engage in various activities while on horseback that are tailored to their individual needs and goals – some are able to ride on their own without any assistance, while others may require volunteers to help guide them or the horse. People in wheelchairs are also able to ride at Bakas, the facility has a ramp and lift that helps elevate riders to the level of the horse, where instructors can help them into the saddle.
Physically horses can help riders build their strength, balance, coordination and flexibility; while mentally and emotionally horses can take away stress, help riders have better focus and better problem-solving skills, assist in communication abilities, and boost confidence.
Beyond lessons and experiences, some riders can compete in events. These can vary from small showcases held at Bakas all the way to the Special Olympics which has taken some riders to international events. Bakas has riders compete in Area Games to qualify for state, then national competitions and the World Games from there. In 2019 a Bakas rider, Robert Arroyo, won two silvers and one gold medal at the World Games in Abu Dhabi. He competed in Dressage, English Working Trials, and English Equitation.
The staff that help make it all happen are second to none. Almost all of them come from backgrounds of volunteerism, horsemanship, and a deep love of people and helping others. They’ve seen how much horses are able to heal just by being in their presence and have worked hard to become well trained to help give that gift of healing to others. The instructors at Bakas are all PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International) certified, meaning they have the premier training in equine therapy and know the best methods for teaching and working with the variable challenges riders may struggle with and helping them reach whatever goals they may have.
Beyond working with the riders whose lessons are only Tuesdays through Saturdays, the facility itself has no days off. Later this month when the parks are quiet, there will still be someone at Bakas to muck the stalls and care for the animals. Horses like Silver, Penny, and Chase will still be expecting their hay and oats on Christmas morning. The Equestrian Center also has two full time Park Rangers – Tom and Allan - who help with care and maintenance of the facility and grounds, much like the rangers in other CELM parks maintain the buildings and trails.
The staff, nonprofit members, and volunteers also put on various social events, charity horse shows, summer day camps, and more for riders, families, and the public. They say these events help contribute to the supportive community they've built at Bakas that keeps everyone coming back.
Do you want to help Bakas? We recommend volunteering with them or donating to the Horses for Handicapped 501c3 which pays for the horses, competition entry fees, scholarships, and other programs.
More Bakas in the news from
Tampa Bay Times, 2007 "With Horseback Therapy, It's a Joy Ride"
Tampa Bay News, 2019 "Bakas Equestrian Center Brings Dreams to Life for Handicapped Riders"
10 Tampa Bay, 2023 "Bakas: Where horses help heal, supporters say"
