Ridin' High: Impacting Lives for 30 Years
Horses. Hope. Healing.
As a nonprofit therapeutic riding center, we're passionate about helping people reach their goals, especially challenged individuals! To do so, we've assembled a qualified team of experienced staff members, helpful volunteers, and trained therapy horses.
Our core mission is to serve those with physical, cognitive, emotional, or social challenges, including those recovering from trauma or dealing with anxiety/depression. Check out our programs below...then consider joining our supportive and vibrant Ridin' High community!
(Please Note: In line with our mission, we do not offer trail rides or single lessons. All participants must complete paperwork and register for an 8-week session so we are simply not able to accommodate those who simply want a trail riding experience.)
Ridin' High's Benefit Rodeo
November 8-9, 2024, 7:30 pm
Walters State Expo Center
To be a sponsor or vendor, please email [email protected]
Ridin' High Programs:
Adaptive Riding
We offer goal-oriented therapeutic riding lessons for persons with physical, emotional, cognitive, or social challenges. Lessons are taught by qualified instructors, including those holding PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certification. We serve riders ages 4-100 who have challenges such as Autism, ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, Cerebral Palsy, TBI, Stroke, Dementia, Learning Disabilities, ACE, and PTSD.
Pony Partners
Children who want to build their literacy and horsemanship skills will enjoy our "Pony Partners" Program. We use interaction with our gentle ponies along with many fun and educational activities to help students (ages 5-12 years old) with reading, literacy, and horsemanship skills. This program serves children with ADHD, Autism (ASD), and other learning disabilities as well as those who simply want to improve their literacy or horsemanship skills. We also offer virtual Pony Partners Programming.
Equine Assisted Activities
Those unable to ride can still benefit from ground-based equine assisted activities and therapies. Participants will gain confidence, improve motor planning skills, and increase functional abilities by interacting with the horses during structured groundwork activities under the guidance of qualified instructors. The groundwork activities include natural horsemanship training techniques, long-lining, horse handling/behavior skills, and brushing the horses. Persons of all ages are welcome in this program. It primarily serves those with extreme anxiety, PTSD, or who are of a weight that exceeds our maximum level (200 pounds). Additionally, it is an option for riders who are confined to a wheelchair as they can still lead, train, and interact safely with an equine.
Horses. Hope. Healing.
The "Horses. Hope. Healing." program focuses on helping participants recover from traumatic events such as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) or PTSD by providing a safe, encouraging environment and positive interaction with the staff and horses. Several evidence-based studies indicate that equine assisted activities and therapies significantly help those who have undergone negative life events. We serve persons of all ages (typically from 4-65 years old) in this program, with an emphasis on working with children and youth.
First Responders / Veterans Program
This program focuses on unmounted activities and relationship building with the horse. Horses are unique in their character and temperament, which can help persons with PTSD gain the inner strength and peace to face life’s challenges. Since the program is also led by first responders, they understand those challenges in a way that others can't. This program is being offered at NO COST to first responders and veterans as a way of saying 'thank you' to those who have served. If you (or someone you know) is interested in this program, please contact us at [email protected] (or talk with Linda or Pat at Ridin' High).
ACEs Horse Activities
Our ACEs horse activities
is for children and youth ages 10-14 years old who have undergone Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Trauma-informed care is centered around interactive activities with our wonderful therapy horses, relationship-building, and learning unmounted horsemanship and training skills. Participants gain confidence and build resilience through carefully-designed, equine-based services.
Contact Us
We'd love to talk personally with you about Ridin' High can benefit you, your school, or your family member. Call our office at 423-585-0331 (or email us at [email protected]).