Our Programs

Wild Hearts Equine Therapy Center offers a variety of equine-assisted programs, including:

  • All IN for Student Connections
  • DIRECTIONS for At-Risk Youth
  • NO LIMITS for Physically Challenged
  • SMILING FACES for Intellectually Challenged
  • SOFT LANDINGS for Emotionally Wounded
  • GENTLED SOULS – Help for Heroes (Veterans, Active Duty, First Responders)
  • GOLDEN CONNECTIONS for Seniors
  • BUILDING STRONGER LEADERS for Corporations
  • COMMUNITY OUTREACH for Educational Events & Speaking Engagements
  • EQUINE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM

Results from equine assisted learning and therapy programs are tangible, meaningful and life changing. And sometimes, the results come from simply being in the presence of a horse’s unconditional acceptance and innate sensitivity.

Testimonial:

I have seen positive changes in her ability to focus on and follow through with completing school work, as well as many positive changes in her personal self-confidence level…. The experience is a great stress reducer. ~ Jan L, adoptive parent

Through horses, people can heal, develop and learn new skills that are uniquely provided by equine guides. Our programs help people:

  • Improve emotional and physical strength
  • Heal from post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Manage special needs
  • Gain confidence and assertiveness
  • Improve communication and relationship skills
  • Become better leaders
  • Build effective and more collaborative teams
  • Become more self-aware

Therapy sessions are by appointment only. The Center will be closed to the public during certain therapy sessions in order to comply with HIPAA regulations. Please contact us to learn more about current programs and to schedule your appointment.

Specific Program Offerings

All in for Student Connections
This program services students at West Oak Middle School with emotional development difficulties. Through working with horses, students find peace, develop confidence and are able to learn new ways of managing their emotions.

Directions for At-Risk Youth
Many of the youth in our society are troubled and unable to focus, bored and seeking unhealthy alternatives. The growing number of teen suicides speaks volumes. At Wild Hearts, our youth find a safe place to make healthier choices and learn to focus.

No Limits
At Wild Hearts, we strive to help people with physical challenges by working to build core strength, balance and confidence through riding. Amputees, walkers, canes, and wheelchairs are welcome.

Smiling Faces
People with intellectual differences, including Down Syndrome and Autism, build confidence, find growth and learn through our sessions geared specifically for intellectual disabilities. Our sensory trail is a favorite among this population.

Soft Landings
For anyone dealing with trauma and in need of a safe place to land while working through the effects of trauma and interested in taking to move through the process of recovery.

Gentled Souls – Help for Heroes (Veterans, Active Duty, First Responders)
Active-duty military, veterans and first responders dealing with the challenge of post-traumatic stress are encouraged to rebuild relationships with the help of our equine guides. This therapy is provided at no charge to the individual. Veteran immersion weekends are planned for the future.

Growing Stronger Leaders
Business participants in this program come from organizations whose goal is to build cohesive teams with the goal of improving team dynamics and ultimately strengthening the delivery of goods or services. Through working with horses, teams are able to bond, forge relationships and grow into a more united unit.

Equine Partnership Program
Our approach is Horse First and Client Led. This means we consider the horse first in everything we do while expertly tailoring each session to each individual person’s needs.

Our certification program includes 5 full days (8a – 5p) of hands-on learning supported by group discussion and Q&A. The program is designed to help students develop a deeper understanding of the whole horse and the business of equine therapy. Students also learn how to develop their own internal softness and more effective ways of communicating with horses.

The main goal of this program is to help people recognize the horse as a peer and to help your horses feel safe, which leads to a beautiful partnership and a safe program with horses that do not suffer from burnout. Subjects include:

  • The Whole Horse (horse brain, nutrition, neuromuscular dentistry, hoof care, integrative massage, chiropractic).
  • The Partnership (communication & blending with horses, nervous systems, regulation techniques, developing a deeper understanding of self and how to softly, but effectively communicate with horses).
  • Overview of Therapeutic Models and blending of models to provide customized learning for your clients (including PATH, Eponaquest, EAGALA, Natural Lifemanship); understanding and implementing Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) caregiver techniques; plus principles of true Horsemanship following the philosophy of Mark Rashid’s Horsemanship.
  • Business Guidance (finances, insurance, safety, marketing, development, staffing).

Equine Therapy Models

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL)
Equine Assisted Learning – a profoundly effective therapy – acknowledges and encourages the emotional bond between horses and people. It is an educational approach that has as its primary focus the goal of facilitating personal growth and the development of life skills through equine interactions. It has been used as a treatment option for helping those with a multitude of disorders and disabilities, including those with autism, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, eating disorders and many others.

Trust-Based Relational Intervention Practitioner
TBRI® is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention that is designed to meet the complex needs of vulnerable children developed by Dr. Karyn Purvis at Texas Christian University.

Neurosequential Model
A developmentally-informed, biologically respectful approach to working with at-risk children developed by Dr. Bruce Perry. Utilizes the 3R’s (regulate, relate, reason).

5R Ranch Horsemanship Assistant Instructor
Teaching horsemanship from the inside out developed by Mr. Mark Rashid; a way of being internally soft with horses to achieve self-regulation and effective communication.

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemen
PATH, International was founded in 1969 to promote safe and effective therapeutic (adaptive) horseback riding throughout the United States and Canada.

Epona
The unique, multidisciplinary approach of equine-facilitated experiential learning can include riding, energy work and art therapy, among other offerings. The Epona Approach™ focuses on simply connecting with horses to help people get in touch with themselves and gain important insights into their relationships with others.