Turning Disabilities into Possibilities with Every Ride.
We are a 501c(3) non-profit therapeutic horsemanship center located in Helotes, TX offering mounted and unmounted lessons to veterans and individuals of all ages with physical, emotional, and/or cognitive disabilities.
Our vision is to provide both mounted and unmounted experiential learning opportunities for our riders, to include riding lessons, ground work, equine care and science, etc.
Our riding programs give independence to participants by enabling them to feel the freedom of sitting on top of a horse and leaving the confines of their disability behind. Our ground work programs allow for deep connection between the participant and horse, as well as providing the opportunity for more in-depth learning about horse care, training, and skill-building.
For individuals with cognitive or emotional challenges, the unique relationship formed between a rider and horse can lead to increased confidence, patience and self-esteem. Horses provide immediate, and non-judgmental, feedback giving participants the opportunity to adjust their thoughts, feelings, and/or behaviors without fear or shame. The therapeutic environment that horses provide cannot be duplicated in a clinical setting and as a result every participant benefits from their accepting and trusting interaction.
We serve the Bandera, Bexar, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr and Medina counties with the majority of our current riders in the northwest part of San Antonio. We have riders ranging in age from 4 to 60 years of age with the largest population between 6 and 20. We are able to support a wide range of emotional, physical and/or cognitive disabilities such as: autism, development delays, ADD/ADHD, learning disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, head trauma/brain injuries, PTSD and intellectual disabilities.
Our MAX (Make-A-Connection) Program is an interactive experience focused on the horse-human bond and its impact on relationships through an introduction to equine experiential learning and the principles of basic horsemanship. This unique program offers individuals the opportunity to gain or re-gain essential life and coping skills that allow productive interactions and collaboration with those with whom they live and work.
Many individuals and groups can experience the wonderful benefits of the MAX Program including, but not limited to:
- Military families
- Veterans
- Grief support groups/grieving individuals
- Children with special needs and their families
- Those suffering from a serious illness such as cancer
- Therapists and other support personnel for those listed above
We offer both a 5-week and one-day MAX Program workshops. (Our one-day workshop covers the same information as the 5-week program, just in a more condensed format).
MAX Program Requirements:
- For the safety of our riders and volunteers, all riders must meet the following criteria:
- Weigh less than 200 pounds in order to be safely dismounted in an emergency
- Have sitting balance (side walkers can’t be asked to support the weight of the rider). If riders have minimum sitting balance, they must weigh 40lbs or less.
- Be at least 4 years old
- Have a disability that is compatible with therapeutic horsemanship and have a therapist or physician to complete a medical form
Click here for registration, program costs, and information.
Therapeutic riding is "an equine-assisted activity for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of individuals with special needs."
While the primary objective of therapeutic riding is to learn to ride a horse, the process of learning to ride brings therapeutic value to the rider. Long-term therapeutic goals such as improved balance, greater focus, lowered anxiety, and increased compassion and empathy (see our list of benefits here) are realized as the rider develops equestrian skills and experience.
Our therapeutic riding lessons are taught privately, semi-privately or in groups of 2-3 students. They typically last an hour and occur once per week during each of our three riding sessions: Spring, Summer, and Fall. Our Spring and Fall sessions usually last 10 weeks and our summer session usually lasts 6 weeks.
For the safety of our riders and volunteers, all riders must meet the following criteria:
- Weigh less than 200 pounds in order to be safely dismounted in an emergency
- Have sitting balance (side walkers can’t be asked to support the weight of the rider). If riders have minimum sitting balance, they must weigh 40lbs or less.
- Be at least 4 years old
- Have a disability that is compatible with therapeutic horsemanship and have a therapist or physician to complete a medical form
How to Apply for Therapeutic Riding Lessons:
- Download and fill out the Rider Registration form.
- Email us a scanned copy.
- Applicant will be contacted by our Program Director to discuss any outstanding requirements, obtain the therapist/physician medical form, and any other information.
We never want cost to be a barrier preventing our riders or participants from experiencing the incredible benefits equine therapy has to offer.
Please call us to discuss lesson costs and details.
Our Therapeutic Riding Instructors use equine-based therapy for both active-duty service members and veterans who have returned with physical and mental challenges as a result of their service. The goal of this program is to improve the lives of servicemen and women who have suffered injury in the line of duty, helping them adjust physically and emotionally to their post-war lives.
Horses help veterans learn to develop the relationships they need to reconnect with their communities, each other, and their families. Time spent grooming and riding their horse enhances relationship-building skills, improves ability to trust others, and develops emotional awareness and empathy.
Veteran Program Requirements:
For the safety of our riders and volunteers, all riders must meet the following criteria:
- Weigh less than 200 pounds in order to be safely dismounted in an emergency
- Have sitting balance (side walkers can’t be asked to support the weight of the rider).
- Have a disability that is compatible with therapeutic horsemanship and have a therapist or physician to complete a medical form
- Present proof of service (DD214 form) as part of the application process
How to Apply for the Veteran Program:
- Download and fill out the Rider Registration form.
- Email us scanned copy.
- Applicant will be contacted by our Program Director to discuss any outstanding requirements, obtain proof of service and/or the therapist/physician medical form, and any other information.
We never want cost to be a barrier preventing our riders or participants from experiencing the incredible benefits equine therapy has to offer.
Please call us to discuss lesson costs and details.