What Naples Therapeutic Riding Center does

Naples Therapeutic Riding Center (NTRC) is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 (originally as Naples Equestrian Challenge, rebranded in March 2017) that delivers equine-assisted therapy to children and adults with physical, cognitive, social, and mental health needs across Southwest Florida. Operating from a single campus at 206 Ridge Drive, Naples, with covered arena, round arena, bridle path, and sensory trail, NTRC is the only PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in Collier County and earned a perfect score on its 2025 reaccreditation. The organization serves 800+ individuals annually across 60+ disability categories and supplements direct therapeutic riding with group programs reaching 500–600 mental/behavioral health participants annually, a traveling Mini Horse Therapy Program across Collier and Lee counties, and a virtual Little Bitty Literacy program.

NTRC's clinical portfolio spans core therapeutic riding lessons ($50/wk plus $30 evaluation), equine-assisted occupational therapy conducted with a licensed OTR/L ($75/wk), TROT (hippotherapy integrating equine movement with PT/OT/SLP goals), Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Equine-Facilitated Learning group sessions, and a one-week-per-session summer inclusion camp ($400 half-day / $600 full-day). Program delivery relies on PATH Intl. credentialed instructors, licensed clinicians, a barn and property operations team, and a 15,000+ hour annual volunteer workforce, with horse-care and retirement extended through partnerships with Camp Rusk (500-acre Texas ranch) and equine rescue organizations.

Revenue is mixed-model for a nonprofit: user-paid program fees, scholarship-supported need-based access, individual and corporate donations, foundation grants, horse sponsorships, and a high-output annual events calendar anchored by the Kentucky Derby Party (over $425K in 2026) and the Bootstrap Boogie Barn Dance (over $690K net in 2025), with the Hoof & Hike Poker Run underwriting the Retired Herd Fund. Customer concentration centers on individual riders, families, and at-risk populations, with institutional clients consisting of Collier County schools, mental health organizations, and partners such as Youth Haven, Operation Stride, and Lighthouse of Collier.

Name

Naples Therapeutic Riding Center

Legal name

Naples Therapeutic Riding Center

Website

https://naplestherapeuticridingcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Naples Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in Naples, Florida delivering equine-assisted therapy—including therapeutic riding, occupational therapy, mental health group programs, and a traveling mini horse program—to children and adults with physical, social, and mental health needs across Southwest Florida.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Therapy Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Direct School-Based PT Treatment (Individual & Group) (EDAKAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ), Home Health Physical Therapy & Mobile PT (HSADAIAO), Staff & Caregiver Training (Transfers, Safe Handling, Home Programs) (EDAKAGAK)

Keywords

• Therapeutic riding services
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Hippotherapy programs
• Occupational therapy services
• Mental health programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Naples

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue source from individual donors, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. Tax-deductible 501(c)(3) donations support programs, scholarships, and herd care.
2. Therapeutic Riding Program Fees: Riders are billed prior to each season for scheduled lessons at $50 per weekly lesson. Additional $30 one-time evaluation fee. Scholarships available based on financial need.
3. Occupational Therapy with Horses: Specialized OT program at $75 per weekly lesson, conducted with OTR/L therapist and PATH Intl. certified instructor.
4. Summer Horsemanship Camp Tuition: Weekly inclusion camps in June-July for ages 4-16. Half-day camp (8:30am-12:30pm): $400/week. Full-day camp (8:30am-4:00pm): $600/week. 50% nonrefundable deposit required.
5. Fundraising Events: Major annual events including Kentucky Derby Party (raised over $425,000 in 2026), Bootstrap Boogie Barn Dance (raised over $690,000 in 2025), and Hoof & Hike Poker Run. Corporate sponsorships and table sales contribute significant revenue.
6. Horse Sponsorship: Donors can sponsor individual horses through the Horse Power Fund, supporting daily feed, hoof care, veterinary visits, and enrichment for therapy herd.
7. Rider Scholarships: Scholarship fund established in memory of Nancy Morris helps ensure cost is never a barrier. Full and partial scholarships available based on financial need.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NTRC delivers equine-assisted therapeutic services including PATH Intl. certified therapeutic riding lessons, hippotherapy (TROT), occupational therapy with horses, equine-facilitated psychotherapy and learning, and a traveling Mini Horse Therapy program. Services serve children and adults with physical, cognitive, social, and mental health needs across more than 60 disability categories through on-campus lessons, off-campus group programs, and virtual literacy sessions.

Product overview

Naples Therapeutic Riding Center operates as a unified therapeutic services platform offering multiple equine-assisted programs. The core offerings include Therapeutic Riding lessons (individual weekly sessions with PATH Intl. certified instructors), Summer Horsemanship Camp (seasonal inclusion program), and clinical therapy services (Occupational Therapy with Horses, TROT). Mental health programs include Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy and Equine-Facilitated Learning, delivered in group formats through community partnerships. The Mini Horse Therapy Program provides traveling therapy services including the Little Bitty Literacy virtual reading program. Supporting services include a Horse Donation Program and Horse Retirement Program. The organization hosts fundraising events (Kentucky Derby Party, Bootstrap Boogie Barn Dance, Hoof & Hike Poker Run) to support operations and the Retired Herd Fund.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapeutic Riding PATH Intl. certified weekly therapeutic riding lessons for individuals with cognitive, physical, and emotional disabilities. Lesson plans are developed by PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors and include horsemanship activities that produce physical, social, and emotional benefits. Lessons are billed per season at $50 per weekly lesson with a $30 one-time evaluation fee.
• TROT (Therapeutic Riding with Occupational/Physical Therapy) Clinical hippotherapy practice involving purposeful manipulation of equine movement to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems in conjunction with occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech-language pathologists to achieve functional outcomes.
• Occupational Therapy with Horses Specialized program using the horse's multidimensional movement (variable, repetitive, rhythmic) as a treatment strategy to address sensory integration, fine motor skills, attentional skills, feeding skills, and overall strengthening. Conducted with Occupational Therapist Mary Fellenz, OTR/L at $75 per weekly lesson.
• Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) Unmounted group therapy program of six participants facilitated by an equine specialist and mental health counselor, involving trust-building activities, obstacle courses, and communication exercises for individuals with behavioral and mental health challenges and at-risk populations.
• Equine-Facilitated Learning (EFL) Experiential learning program for educational, professional, and personal goals through equine-assisted activities. Offered mounted and unmounted, integrating equine-human interaction to teach life skills including trust, respect, honesty, and communication.
• Mini Horse Therapy Program Traveling equine therapy program bringing therapeutic benefits to children and adults with social and mental health needs at community locations including hospitals, schools, memory care centers, group homes, and public events across Collier and Lee Counties. Includes the Little Bitty Literacy virtual reading program over Zoom.
• Summer Horsemanship Camp Weekly inclusion camp offered June through July for children ages 4-16, accommodating both children with additional needs and typically developing children. Half-day (8:30am-12:30pm) at $400/week and full-day (8:30am-4:00pm) at $600/week with a 1:1 counselor-to-camper ratio and PATH Intl. certified instructor supervision. 50% nonrefundable deposit required.
• Group Programs Equine group programs built through structured relationships with schools and mental health organizations in Collier County, serving 500-600 participants annually overcoming mental, emotional, and behavioral health challenges. Includes mounted and unmounted programs for PTSD, grief, addiction, homeless youth, and mental health diagnoses.
• Disconnect to Reconnect Workshop Restorative equine-assisted workshop for people feeling stretched thin or disconnected. Ground-based interactions with horses practice grounding and mindfulness techniques. Led by licensed mental health therapist Anne Ateeka Contee, LCPC.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 800+ individuals annually with 15,000+ volunteer hours
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• The Scout Guide NaplessupportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Selected as winner of Scouting for a Cause campaign. Received complimentary annual membership, full-page feature in November 2026 publication, professional photography and ad design, year-round promotion.
• Collier County Schools and Mental Health OrganizationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnerships with multiple schools and mental health organizations in Collier County for group programs serving 500-600 participants annually. Includes organizations serving those with PTSD from trauma, grief support, addiction recovery, and homeless youth.
• Camp RuskcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024500-acre horse retirement ranch in Texas where retired NTRC therapy horses live out their golden years. Supports Fancy, Pablo, Tiger, Bella, Bear, Snickers, Blanca, Delta and others in natural herd setting. Proceeds from Hoof & Hike Poker Run support retired horse care.
• Replay PolosupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Nonprofit dedicated to second careers for horses. Adopted horse Blanca from this organization after her polo career ended.
• ERAF - Equine Rescue and Adoption FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Equine rescue organization from which therapy horse Colt was adopted.
• Lighthouse of Collier'ssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Summer camp program partner whose campers visit NTRC for Equine-Facilitated Learning Sessions.
• Youth HavensupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children partnering with NTRC for equine-facilitated psychotherapy group sessions.
• Marco Island Police DepartmentsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partner in community events including 4th Annual Santa Stop where NTRC mini horses participated.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Cheff Center for the Handicapped: Pioneering PATH Intl. Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center in Augusta, Michigan. Closest analog to NTRC given parallel mission, accreditation tier, pediatric/adult special-needs focus, and equine-assisted therapy service mix.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding: PATH Premier Accredited Center in Old Lyme, Connecticut serving children and adults with disabilities through therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine-facilitated programs — direct nonprofit peer with comparable service breadth.
• Mane Stream: PATH Premier Accredited Center in Gladstone, New Jersey offering therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted services to individuals with disabilities — comparable scale and clinical integration model.
• Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy (HETRA): PATH Premier Accredited Center in Omaha, Nebraska delivering therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and mental health programs. Comparable mission, volunteer-driven model, and Premier accreditation status.
• REINS Therapeutic Horsemanship Program: PATH Premier Accredited Center in Fallbrook, California providing therapeutic riding and equine-assisted services to children and adults with disabilities — closely comparable clinical and community model.
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: PATH Premier Accredited Center in Harvard, Illinois serving individuals with disabilities and veterans through therapeutic horsemanship. Comparable program mix including military family services akin to NTRC's Operation Stride.
• EQUI-KIDS Therapeutic Horsemanship: PATH Premier Accredited Center in Virginia Beach serving children and adults with disabilities through therapeutic riding. Comparable nonprofit model with similar participant demographics and program portfolio.

Regional players

• Palmetto Therapeutic Riding Center: PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center in Aiken, South Carolina. Comparable service offering and accreditation tier but serves a different regional geography with overlapping programmatic structure.

Others

• Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.): The industry membership and accreditation body governing Premier Center standards that NTRC complies with. Sets regulatory and certification framework directly shaping NTRC's operating model and competitive positioning.
• Sire Urban Stallion (Sheldon) / Pet Partners: Animal-assisted therapy organizations that intersect with equine-assisted services. Adjacent ecosystem participant providing therapy animal credentialing frameworks relevant to NTRC's expanding community programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/NaplesTherapeuticRidingCenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/naplestherapeuticridingcenter
• Xx.com/NaplesRiding
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/naples-equestrian-challenge

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Naples Therapeutic Riding Center