One Stride at a Time

Harnessing Hope offers Equine Therapeutic Riding, Therapeutic Driving, and Equine Assisted learning weekly from April-November. Winter hours are by appointment. We also offer mobile programming on location for Equine Assisted Learning year round. 

Depending on the structure of the lesson or program they have varying fees. Semi-private Therapeutic Riding weekly lessons start at $60.00 and driving lessons start at $75.00.  Equine Assisted Learning cost is quoted at the time of inquiry. Private lessons available upon request. 

Our lessons are in 1 hour time blocks. There is no set schedules for the structure of the lesson. They are dictated by the different needs of the student and horse for that day. Participants are greeted by their instructor, horse and volunteer upon arrival. They spend time processing the days stressors while mindfully grooming their horse. Through examining their co-regulation levels, the participant and instructor determine where the lesson progresses from there. Sometimes they need extra grooming time for a stressful day at school, a ground work lesson, or they are eager to move into the arena for a riding or driving lesson. After our time in the arena, we cool down, process and draw attention to our somatic state and thank our horse and human partners. All participants make sure to pay extra attention to their equine while untacking and putting them back to pasture! 

Participants do not have to have a disability to participate, only the willingness to improve their interpersonal skills and practice somatic co-regulation with an equine. Lessons are held primarily at the walk, with some trotting depending on the student skill. Cantering is generally not offered in group settings.  Lessons may also be unmounted and ground work based depending on the days activity. 

We currently do not accept insurance. We are an approved provider through the Indiana Educational Scholarship Fund and the Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS).

Send us an email or a message through the website telling us a little about yourself, goals and schedule. (You may also call, however we are often in the barn and unable to accept phone calls.) We will respond as quickly as possible and send you any forms that need completed. Then, we can schedule a tour at the barn to meet the instructor(s) and horses and determine the best plan for you. 

ABSOLUTELY! Volunteers ages 13 and up are the backbone of our programming and every participant is partnered with one throughout the duration of their class. Some participants need multiple volunteers for success. There are positions available for horse handlers, side walkers, arena assistant, able bodied whips or horse headers (for driving).  We also have additional opportunities around the farm as with horses, there's always something that needs to be done! No horse experience is required, but we ask that volunteers be able to work in all conditions, can lift things like saddles or hay bales, and can converse socially and responsibly with our clientele. Some volunteers like to sign up for recurring weekly spots on the schedule, and others just like to be notified of vacancies or one time events- we appreciate any and all your time you are able to give to Harnessing Hope!  Please contact us today for a volunteer form and to get on our schedule.