Medicine Horse

What Medicine Horse does

Medicine Horse is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2001 and headquartered in Longmont, Colorado, that provides equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP) and equine-facilitated learning (EFL) services on a primarily free or donation-based model. The organization operates from a 20-acre ranch facility at 7663 E. County Line Road, leveraging a herd of 25+ therapy animals—including horses, mini horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, and barn cats—as therapeutic partners. Its service delivery model uses horses as co-facilitators in mental health treatment grounded in somatic therapy, nervous system regulation, and experiential learning principles, with all services delivered on-site at the ranch; the facility includes a 60' x 120' indoor arena, 100' x 200' outdoor arena, indoor round pen, temperature-controlled barn, and 20 acres of hay fields.

The organization runs a portfolio of specialized programs targeting distinct underserved populations: Operation Be Herd (8-week veteran program, 3 cycles/year, $9,728 per cycle), Rainbow Wranglers (6-week LGBTQ+ youth support for ages 13-17, $7,295 per cycle), Wholeness with Horses (breast cancer survivors), Connecting Through Grief (6-week grief support), and a Men's Support Group (6-week evening program). Supplementary revenue is generated through community workshops (Meditation with Horses at $35/session, Brush with Grief at $35/workshop), corporate team-building and leadership programs with custom pricing, horse boarding services ($700/month, with boarded horses required to participate in therapy), and the annual Unicorn Festival community event. Animal care costs approximately $48,000 per year, representing a significant fixed cost component.

Marketing and outreach are community-led, relying on organic social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube), email newsletters, the organization's blog, local radio appearances (K4CO, KGNU), community fundraising events (Unicorn Festival, Gala at the Ranch, Eat Like a Horse Roundup, Colorado Gives Day), and referral partnerships anchored by the Boulder Vet Center. In 2025, Medicine Horse delivered 2,500+ hours of EFP/EFL and logged 1,100+ volunteer hours. Revenue derives from individual donations, corporate sponsors, fundraising events, and a single documented institutional grant of $55,380 from The Weld Trust in August 2023; the organization has no parent company, no venture backing, and no public listing.

Name

Medicine Horse

Legal name

Medicine Horse

Website

https://medicinehorse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Medicine Horse is a Longmont, Colorado 501(c)(3) non-profit providing equine-facilitated psychotherapy on a free or donation-based model. It serves veterans, LGBTQ+ youth, cancer survivors, and other underserved populations through specialized on-site programs using a herd of 25+ therapy animals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Services

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (81291)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ)

Keywords

• Equine therapy services
• Mental health programs
• Equine-assisted psychotherapy
• Therapeutic horsemanship
• Experiential learning programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Longmont

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Primary revenue source from individual donors, corporate sponsors, and community supporters. The organization runs donation campaigns including Colorado Gives Day and accepts one-time and recurring donations. Donors can also sponsor individual animals.
2. Horse Boarding Services: Medicine Horse offers horse boarding at $700/month. Boarding horses must participate in therapy programs and meet specific criteria regarding temperament and age (8-22 years). This provides supplementary revenue while supporting the therapy herd.
3. Program Fees: Some programs charge modest fees: Meditation with Horses ($35/person/session), Brush with Grief ($35/session). However, most signature programs including Operation Be Herd (veterans), Rainbow Wranglers (LGBTQ+ youth), Wholeness with Horses (breast cancer survivors), and Connecting Through Grief are offered free of charge.
4. Corporate Team-Building Programs: Equine Facilitated Learning programs offered to businesses and organizations for team development, leadership training, and corporate events. Revenue supports free mental health programs while providing corporate value.
5. Stock Donations: Accepts gifts of appreciated stock, which provides tax advantages to donors while generating liquidity for operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Medicine Horse is a nonprofit organization providing equine-facilitated psychotherapy and learning services where horses act as co-facilitators in individual, couples, and family therapy sessions as well as specialized group programs for veterans (Operation Be Herd), LGBTQ+ youth (Rainbow Wranglers), breast cancer survivors (Wholeness with Horses), those experiencing grief (Connecting Through Grief, Brush with Grief), and adult men (The Round Pen & Fire Circle). The organization also offers corporate equine-facilitated learning for team-building and leadership development, community workshops (Meditation with Horses), and horse boarding, all delivered on-site at its Longmont, Colorado ranch facility.

Product overview

Medicine Horse is a non-profit organization offering equine-facilitated psychotherapy and learning services. The organization operates a single integrated service model centered on therapeutic interactions between clients and horses, supplemented by support programs including group therapy (Operation Be Herd for veterans, Rainbow Wranglers for LGBTQ+ teens, Wholeness with Horses for breast cancer survivors, Men's Support Group, Connecting Through Grief), wellness offerings (Meditation with Horses, Brush with Grief, Equine Wellness Clinics), community gatherings, corporate team-building programs, and animal sponsorship. Services are provided free or by donation, funded through individual donations, corporate partnerships, grants, and fundraising events including the annual Unicorn Festival.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy Individual, couples, and family therapy sessions using horses as co-therapists, provided free of charge or by donation for adults, teens, and families seeking mental health support.
• Equine Facilitated Learning Non-riding experiential learning program designed for teams and individuals to develop leadership skills, enhance communication, and build trust through horse interactions.
• Operation Be Herd An 8-week free equine-facilitated therapy program for veterans and active duty service members dealing with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and trauma from military service. Held three times yearly in spring, summer, and fall sessions in partnership with Boulder Vet Center.
• Rainbow Wranglers A 6-week free support group for LGBTQ+ teens ages 13-17 providing a safe space to explore identity, build emotional resilience, and develop life skills through equine-assisted activities.
• Wholeness with Horses A free support program for individuals impacted by breast cancer, offering therapeutic sessions with horses to foster connection, healing, and personal growth.
• Men's Support Group (The Round Pen & Fire Circle) A free six-week evening group for adult men focusing on embodied connection, emotional awareness, and relational skills through round pen work with horses followed by fire circle integration.
• Connecting Through Grief A free 6-week grief support group for those navigating loss of a loved one (human or animal), combining somatic practices, breathwork, creative expression, and relational connection with horses.
• Meditation with Horses A monthly 90-minute mindfulness practice led by an instructor, exploring themes of mindfulness through guided meditation, breathwork, and time with horses at $35 per person.
• Brush with Grief A two-hour art-based grief workshop where participants create personalized grief brushes using natural materials, combined with storytelling and grounding exercises, priced at $35 per person.
• Corporate Programs Team-building experiences for organizations using equine-facilitated learning to develop leadership, communication, conflict management, and prevent burnout. Custom pricing via [email protected].
• Community Gatherings Low-pressure community activities including Garden Club and Goats & Grimoires book club, creating space for people to gather through shared activities and conversation.
• Equine Wellness Clinics Specialized clinics focused on equine health and wellness, with proceeds supporting therapy scholarships at Medicine Horse.
• Unicorn Festival Annual community event celebrating horses with activities including horse bingo, oracle card readings, unicorn parade, and face painting, serving as a fundraiser for therapy programs.
• Horse Boarding Boarding services for horses aged 8-22, with preference for mares, at $700/month including 12' x 40' outdoor run/shelter, daily turnout, and access to arena facilities. Boarded horses must participate in therapy programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2500+ hours of EFT & EFL provided in 2025
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Boulder Vet CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership providing equine-facilitated therapy for veterans. Boulder Vet Center refers veterans to Medicine Horse programs and their Director, Collette M. Beck (LCSW), provides oversight and integration with traditional trauma therapy (EMDR, CPT). This partnership enables veterans to receive specialized equine therapy as part of comprehensive trauma treatment. Collette describes it as a place 'where healing happens in relationship' and notes the powerful impact of horses helping veterans feel 'welcomed home' and accepted without judgment.
• Canine Partners of the RockiesminorOthersService dog training organization that brings young puppies to Medicine Horse for early socialization experiences. The puppies (training to become Mobility Service Dogs and Facility Dogs) interact with horses, mini horses, donkeys, goats, and sheep at the ranch, building confidence and adaptability essential for their future work helping people with physical disabilities.
• Rodger and Sherry's Culinary ExperienceminorOthersHosted the 'Eat Like a Horse Roundup' fundraising event that raised $12,500 for veteran's programs. Local culinary experience providers who organized a community fundraising dinner supporting Medicine Horse's free veteran programming.
• K4CO RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal radio station that featured Medicine Horse's Executive Director Corey Hollister and Development Director Ania Wells discussing the organization's mission and Colorado Gives Day fundraising goals. Media partnership for awareness and donor acquisition.
• KGNU Radio (Dot Org Program)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity radio station featuring Medicine Horse on their Dot Org program which spotlights local nonprofits and cooperatives. Interview with Executive Director Corey Hollister to raise awareness about the organization's mission and services.
• Butler Elementary SchoolminorOthersLocal elementary school that participated in group volunteering at Medicine Horse on May 6, 2024, as part of community engagement and team-building activities.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• Horses & Humans Research Foundation: HHRF funds and disseminates research on equine-assisted therapy outcomes, including for veterans and trauma survivors. While research-focused rather than service-delivery, it sits in the same evidence ecosystem as Medicine Horse's programs and helps legitimize the modality for donors and clinical partners.

Direct peers

• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: BraveHearts is a nonprofit providing equine-assisted services, including equine-facilitated psychotherapy and learning for veterans, at-risk youth, and individuals with disabilities. Directly comparable in mission, service mix, and nonprofit funding model to Medicine Horse.
• Mane Stream: Mane Stream is a New Jersey-based nonprofit offering equine-assisted therapy, including mental health services and adaptive riding. Comparable to Medicine Horse as a ranch-based, multidisciplinary equine therapy nonprofit serving both mental health and learning populations.
• Dream Power Horsemanship: Dream Power Horsemanship is a nonprofit providing equine-facilitated programs for at-risk youth, individuals with disabilities, and trauma survivors in Texas. Comparable to Medicine Horse in mission, service population, and ranch-based nonprofit delivery.
• High Horses Therapeutic Riding Center: High Horses is a nonprofit therapeutic horsemanship center serving children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges in New England. Comparable to Medicine Horse in nonprofit structure, ranch-based delivery, and equine-assisted mental health programming.
• Stable Moments: Stable Moments is a nonprofit offering equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning for trauma survivors, at-risk youth, and families. Directly comparable to Medicine Horse's mission, service mix, and community-based nonprofit funding model.
• SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center: SpiritHorse provides equine-assisted therapy and horsemanship programs for individuals with disabilities, at-risk youth, and veterans. Comparable to Medicine Horse as a nonprofit, ranch-based provider of equine-facilitated mental health and learning services.

Regional players

• Solvista Behavioral Health (regional mental health provider): Solvista is a regional Colorado mental health provider serving the same geographic area as Medicine Horse, including Chaffee, Fremont, and surrounding counties. While not equine-focused, it is a referral partner and adjacent provider for the mental health populations Medicine Horse targets in Colorado.

Broad incumbents

• PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship): PATH International is the largest U.S. credentialing body for equine-assisted services including therapeutic riding and equine-facilitated psychotherapy. Comparable to Medicine Horse through shared equine-therapy modality and overlapping practitioner population, though it is an umbrella association rather than a single service site.
• Eagala (Equine-Assisted Growth and Learning Association): Eagala is the leading global professional association and standards body for equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning. While it is a network/training organization rather than a direct service provider, it defines the modality Medicine Horse practices and serves many of the same practitioners and programs.

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCkjYhkwsqRdUKOvVn1HDyIQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/medicinehorseprogram
• Instagraminstagram.com/medicinehorseco
• Xx.com/medicinehorse00

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Medicine Horse