Equine-Assisted Services

Equine-Assisted Services at Hearts & Horses

Hearts & Horses offers an array of equine-assisted programs that are designed to empower participants, promote self-sufficiency, and encourage growth both inside and outside of the arena.

To get started, explore our different programs then fill out the Participant Intake Form beneath the program you are interested in to get on our waitlist. Waitlist times vary depending on programming.

Mounted Riding

Mounted riding ranges across all programs, tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each participant. Through the horse’s natural, rhythmic movement, mounted riding supports physical, cognitive, and emotional development by promoting balance, body awareness, posture, and coordination, while also fostering confidence, connection, and overall well-being.

Shared Ground

Shared Ground is a curriculum utilized in several of our programs that focuses on ground-based learning with horses. Rather than riding, participants work alongside the horse through structured activities designed to promote learning, connection, and personal growth in a safe and supportive environment.

Specialty Programs

Therapeutic Horsemanship

Mounted & Groundwork Ages: 4 through adult

Therapy Services

Occupational & Physical Therapy Ages: 2 through adult

Changing Leads

Youth At-Risk Ages: 5 - 18 Years

Riding in the Moment™

Dementia & Memory Loss Ages: Seniors

Hearts & Horses for Heroes

Veterans Program Ages: Veterans of all ages

Therapeutic Horsemanship

Mounted & Groundwork

Ages: 4 – Adult

Therapeutic Horsemanship encompasses both riding and/or groundwork lessons. Therapeutic Horsemanship is equestrian skill based lessons for individuals with disabilities. The focus of the lessons include skill development and progression while improving the rider’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills. Lessons are taught by a PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Partial scholarships may be available based on the family’s financial need.

Benefits of Therapeutic Riding:

Promotes Strength
Increases Flexibility
Develops Balance
Improves Coordination
Helps Breathing
Improves Coping Skills
Builds Self-Confidence
Improves Social Skills

Groundwork Can Be Beneficial for Participants Who:

Enjoy animals or are curious about horses
Learn best through hands-on or movement-based activities
Benefit from social-emotional skill development
Prefer non-riding programs
Need a supportive, structured learning environment

DIAGNOSES SERVED

We are able to work with a wide range of disabilities. Common diagnoses include (but are not limited to):

Muscular Dystrophy
ADD/ADHD
Multiple Sclerosis
Visual Impairment
Down Syndrome
Spina Bifida
Emotional Disorders
Spinal Cord Injuries

Learning Disabilities
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Cerebral Palsy
Sensory Integration
Developmental Delay
Fine/Gross Motor Skills
PTSD
Traumatic Brain Injuries

Payment Information

The average cost of a Therapeutic Horsemanship class is $45/hr. Depending on scholarship funds available, we provide partial scholarships to those who have demonstrated need. Please review the scholarship policies and contact our Program Team with further questions at programs@heartsandhorses.org.

Scholarship Policies Rider Information & Policies Therapeutic Horsemanship Participant Intake Form

THERAPY SERVICES

Occupational & Physical Therapy

Therapy Services are a direct, one-on-one medical treatment provided by a licensed physical therapist or occupational therapist and can start as young as age two.

Therapy Services are used primarily for participants who have movement dysfunctions. Movement of the horse is key in therapy sessions and students can benefit from improvement in posture, balance, sensory processing and functional mobility.

Ages: 2 through adult

Therapy Services Benefits

Increases range of motion
Decreases hypertonicity
Increases head and trunk control
Improves motor planning
Improves sensory processing
Improves joint mobility
Improves posture and symmetry
Improves gait
Improves fine and gross motor skills
Improves muscle strength
Improves balance
Improves coordination

We are able to work with a wide range of disabilities. Common diagnoses include (but are not limited to):

Muscular Dystrophy
ADD/ADHD
Multiple Sclerosis
Visual Impairment
Down Syndrome
Spina Bifida
Emotional Disorders
Spinal Cord Injuries
Learning Disabilities
Autism Spectrum Disorders

Cerebral Palsy
Sensory Integration
Developmental Delay
Fine/Gross Motor Skills
Traumatic Brain Injuries

Payment Information

Individual therapist fees vary. An average range can be $65/hr-$80/hr. Medicaid reimbursement is available for therapy using equine movement when provided by a physical therapist or an occupational therapist. Our therapists are independent contractors and they manage the Medicaid billing process individually. There is a barn fee, separate from the therapist fee, which is $28.50 per lesson paid to Hearts & Horses. We have a scholarship program that is available to participants that need financial assistance for the barn fee.

Rider Information & Policies Therapy Services Participant Intake Form

Difference Between Therapeutic Riding & Therapy Services

	Therapy Services	Therapeutic Riding
Description	Medical treatment (OT, PT) utilizing the purposeful manipulation of equine movement as a therapy tool to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to promote functional outcomes.	Recreational activity providing horseback riding lessons for individuals with disabilities
Completed By	Licensed occupation or physical therapist	~~Certified therapeutic riding instructor~~
Goals	Activities and functional skills individualized to the specific needs of the patient	Skills associated with riding a horse and horse-related ground activities
Setting	One-on-one treatment	Typically a group setting
Payment	Fees vary. For more information see, “Payment Information” under the Therapy Services section.	Average cost is $40/hr. Partial scholarships available.

Changing Leads

Youth At-Risk

The Changing Leads program is designed to help youth at-risk find friendship, develop trust and form a deep connection through partnering with a horse. The program focuses on teaching transferable skills to enhance personal, school, family, and community relationships through Equine-Assisted Learning and Social-Emotional Learning.

Our Changing Leads classes typically take place in a group setting, and are taught by a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. We offer Changing Leads classes to individuals as well as schools and other organizations.

Ages: 5 – 18 years

Equine-Assisted Learning Can Assist in the Development of:

Trust
Respect
Empathy
Self-respect and confidence
Accountability
Conflict resolution
Relationship Building

Equine-Assisted Learning Can Address Issues Including:

Depression
Trauma
Anger management
Substance abuse
Domestic violence
Attachment disorders
Grief and loss
Anxiety

Payment Information

The average cost of a Changing Leads class is $45/hr. Depending on scholarship funds available, we provide partial scholarships to those who have demonstrated need. Please review the scholarship policies and contact our Program Team with further questions at programs@heartsandhorses.org.

Scholarship Policies Rider Information & Policies Changing Leads Participant Intake Form

Thank You to Our Changing Leads Scholarship Supporters

RIDING IN THE MOMENT™

Alzheimer’s, Dementia & Memory Loss

This program is designed to enhance the quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other forms of memory loss. We currently partner with long-term care facilities in Northern Colorado who bring clients to us weekly during the summer and fall. We also take individual participants. Some participants enjoy riding, while others engage in ground work with the horses, such as grooming.

Benefits of Riding in the Moment™:

Enhance levels of engagements, both at the ranch and at the care facility
Helps to facilitate positive experiences, reliving memories and connecting with the natural world
Demonstrates the power of the human-animal bond
Encourages physical and cognitive strengthening activities

Payment Information

The average cost of a Riding in the Moment™ class is $45/hr. Depending on scholarship funds available, we provide partial scholarships to those who have demonstrated need. Please review the scholarship policies and contact our Program Team with further questions at programs@heartsandhorses.org.

Scholarship Policies Rider Information & Policies Riding in the Moment™ Participant Intake Form

HEARTS & HORSES FOR HEROES

Veterans Program

Hearts & Horses for Heroes is an equine-assisted therapeutic horsemanship program designed specifically for Veterans of every era. Our vision for the Hearts and Horses for Heroes Program is to help Veterans heal and grow by restoring the wisdom of their mind, body and spirit through their interactions with horses, each other, and the natural world.

We do not charge our Veterans to participate in our Hearts & Horses for Heroes program since they have already given so much. We do rely on the generosity of the community to underwrite 100% of this program through sponsorship.

Give in Support of Our Veterans Program