"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

 A few things to know before getting started. We've laid out everything from eligibility to scheduling, so you know exactly what to expect before you reach out.

Our programs are designed for participants ages 6 and up who may be experiencing physical, emotional, cognitive, or behavioral challenges, as horsemanship and equine-assisted activities require a certain level of readiness and focus. 

 Acceptance into our programs depends on having the right horse, equipment, instructor, and facility fit available for each participant, and on activities being appropriate for that participant's needs. For the safety of both our participants and our horses, we are currently able to accommodate riders up to 240 lbs, in keeping with our herd's capabilities and our insurance requirements. If mounted activities aren't recommended for a particular child, we may offer unmounted, ground-based alternatives instead. Additionally, as participants grow in skill and confidence beyond what our program is designed to provide, we celebrate that progress as a graduation and are happy to connect families with a trusted local trainer to continue their journey. 

Looking for hippotherapy or children's mental health providers? These are offered through our partnering licensed therapists rather than through our standard enrollment process. Give our office a call, and we'd love to help connect you with the right person.

For all other programs: 

1. Reach out. A parent or guardian contacts us to talk through eligibility and next steps.
2.  Get a physician referral. Before applying, a participant must be referred by a licensed medical professional for ongoing evaluation to determine eligibility for participation. Your referring provider will complete a referral form confirming their assessment and providing their license information. 
3. Complete enrollment forms. We'll send you the necessary paperwork once we've had that first conversation. Sessions can't begin until all forms are returned.
4. Attend a preliminary assessment. You and your child will meet with a member of our team in person. This lets us get to know your child, set meaningful goals, and talk through any safety considerations specific to their needs.
5. Get scheduled. If we're able to accommodate your child, we'll work with you to find a lesson time that fits. If nothing's currently available, your child will be placed on our waitlist and offered a spot as soon as one opens.

Session Schedule:

Sessions run year-round in four 8-week seasons, with a one-week break between each for our horses to rest. Enrollment for each season opens shortly before the session begins. Please contact us to check current availability.

Fall Session: September – November

Winter Session: December – February

Spring Session: March – May

Summer Session: June – August

Fees — Adaptive Riding & Equine-Assisted Activities:

Unmounted Lesson: $40

Group Lesson: $35

Private Lesson: $45

Fees are billed at the start of each season. You may pay in full, or split it into two payments; one at the start of the season, and one at the start of week 5. If you need to miss a lesson, we're happy to help you reschedule within the same season, pending availability. 24 hour advance notice is required in order to reschedule. 

Rising Strides Therapy Ranch is not a licensed therapy provider. We offer horsemanship and equine-assisted activities, and partner with licensed therapists for hippotherapy services and mental health professionals for unmounted activities. We do not bill for or manage licensed therapy services. 

Any clinical or therapeutic care your child needs should continue with their existing licensed provider as our programs are designed to complement that care, not replace it. If you're working with one of our partnering licensed therapists, their sessions are billed separately, according to their own rates and policies. Please contact them directly for pricing and insurance questions. Financial aid may be available for qualifying families.

The safety of our participants, horses, staff, and volunteers comes first. Rising Strides Therapy Ranch reserves the right to pause or end a participant's involvement in a session if their actions put themselves or others at risk. 

Have questions about eligibility, enrollment, or what to expect? We're happy to help. Reach out anytime and we'll get back to you as soon as we can and help you figure out the right next step for you and your family.

Email: shaunab@rstranch

Phone: (208) 391-5433