Equine Assisted Activities for Children & Adults with Special Needs

Helen Woodward Animal Center’s Therapeutic Riding program illustrates the meaning of the Center’s creed, “People helping animals and animals helping people.” Our program is dedicated to serving riders with special needs through equine-assisted activities. Students, ages 4 and up, interact with specially trained horses year-round in weekly lessons to enhance physical, cognitive, social-emotional and motor skills. Additionally, we stress having fun in a safe and rewarding environment.

With input from parents, physicians, physical therapists and special education teachers, our experienced PATH certified staff members develop lesson plans to suit each of our riders short and long term goals.

The program is back to full capacity with a lengthy waiting list. Thank you for your patience and support as we work towards increasing our capacity. Visit our Sponsor A Therapy Horse page to support these amazing animals and help to preserve the program for years to come. Any amount helps!

Visit our YouTube page for some fun, educational videos created by our Therapeutic Riding team!

Interested in learning more about Therapeutic Riding?

Are you currently enrolled in our Therapeutic Riding program?

Meet Our Crew!

Therapeutic Riding would not be possible without the
generous support of donors like you!

The Therapeutic Riding program would like to give a special thanks to the following organizations and individuals for their support:

  • Charity Fair Horse Show
  • Confidence Foundation
  • Evergate Stables
  • Harriet E Pfleger Foundation
  • Jeanne Bates Household
  • John & Beverly Stauffer Foundation
  • The Menard Foundation
  • Myers Family Foundation

Contact Us!

PROGRAM HOURS OF OPERATION

Tuesday–Friday: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Closed Monday

*Please note that staff are often at the barn in the morning and lessons in the afternoon

THERAPEUTIC RIDING MANAGER

6523 Helen Woodward Way

P.O. Box 64

Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067

858-756-4117 ext. 321

Due to Hurricane Hilary, all  departments will be closing at 3pm today.  Stay safe!