ManeGait

What ManeGait does

ManeGait is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit therapeutic riding center founded in 2007 and headquartered on a 14-acre property in McKinney, Texas. Its core platform delivers equine-assisted therapy to approximately 150 children and adults with disabilities each week, supported by 30 therapy horses and 285 active volunteers. Programs include Equine Therapy, the proprietary GaitWay to the Brain (which integrates neuroplasticity-based cognitive exercises with riding), ManeGait to Freedom (a dedicated program for military veterans and first responders), Carriage Driving, Stable Stars, and the Samson Equestrian Riding Simulator. ManeGait is differentiated clinically by a research partnership with Texas Woman's University (2015-2017) that produced peer-reviewed evidence of motor skill improvements in riders with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and other neurodevelopmental conditions, published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science.

The business model is a donation- and grant-funded nonprofit: services are provided free of charge to riders, with revenue sourced from individual donations, corporate and foundation grants, signature event fundraising (Annual Gala at the 'Gait with 800+ attendees, Rider Cup Golf Tournament, ManeGait LIVE Country Fair & Concert), and branded merchandise sales. Distribution is anchored by the single physical McKinney facility, supplemented by an online retail shop, instructor training via the Knowledge Center, and a multi-channel earned-media strategy spanning major DFW broadcast outlets and community publications. The organization is currently executing The Beacon Project, a $13.2M capital campaign (78% funded as of early 2025) to double rider capacity, with cornerstone gifts including a $1M commitment from Tradition Homes and recurring ten-year support from Brandon Tomes Subaru ($65K/year).

Name

ManeGait

Legal name

Mane Gait

Website

https://manegait.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ManeGait is a McKinney, Texas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit therapeutic riding center that provides free equine-assisted therapy to 150 children and adults with disabilities each week, including the proprietary GaitWay to the Brain program combining neuroplasticity exercises with riding, funded primarily through donations, grants, and signature fundraising events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Riding Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Executive Functioning & Self-Regulation Coaching (OT) (EDAKAFAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Mindfulness-Based Coaching & Training (MBSR/MBCT-style) (HSADAJAB)

Keywords

• Therapeutic riding services
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Adaptive riding programs
• Nonprofit disability services
• Neuroplasticity therapy programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Mckinney

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and corporate donations from supporters who contribute to fund therapeutic riding programs for children and adults with disabilities.
2. Event Fundraising: Revenue from signature events including the Annual Gala at the 'Gait (800+ attendees), Rider Cup Golf Tournament, and ManeGait LIVE Country Fair & Concert.
3. Foundation and Corporate Grants: Grants from foundations and corporations including RTX Corporation ($10,000), H-E-B Tournament of Champions ($5,000), and major commitments from Tradition Homes ($1 million to The Beacon Project).
4. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel, accessories, gifts, and gift cards through the online shop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ManeGait is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) therapeutic riding center that delivers equine-assisted therapy to children and adults with disabilities, served free of charge by certified riding instructors at its 14-acre McKinney, Texas facility. Its core platform combines standard therapeutic riding with the proprietary GaitWay to the Brain program, which layers neuroscience-based brain-building exercises onto equine sessions to improve motor skills, sensory processing, attention, and speech. Additional programs include a veterans/first responders track (ManeGait to Freedom), carriage driving, stable stars, and an equestrian riding simulator, supported by a Knowledge Center offering PATH International and CHA instructor certifications.

Product overview

ManeGait is a nonprofit therapeutic riding center offering a platform of equine-assisted therapy programs designed to help children and adults with disabilities move beyond their boundaries. The core platform includes Equine Therapy, the innovative GaitWay to the Brain (which combines neuroplasticity-based brain-building exercises with therapeutic riding), a dedicated Veterans Program, Carriage Driving, Stable Stars, and an Equestrian Riding Simulator. The Knowledge Center provides instructor training and certification (PATH International and CHA), while Gear at the 'Gait operates as a retail merchandise shop. Annual fundraising events include the Gala at the 'Gait, Rider Cup Golf Tournament, and ManeGait LIVE! Country Fair and Concert. The organization is currently expanding via The Beacon Project to double capacity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Equine Therapy Certified-instructor-led therapeutic riding for children and adults with disabilities, including dedicated programming for military veterans and first responders; delivered on ManeGait's 14-acre McKinney facility with 30 therapy horses.
• GaitWay to the Brain Proprietary program layering neuroplasticity-based brain-building exercises (bottom-up sensory input plus top-down cognitive task training) onto equine therapy to amplify motor, sensory, cognitive, and speech outcomes for riders with disabilities.
• ManeGait to Freedom (Veterans Program) Dedicated equine-assisted therapy track for military veterans and first responders addressing PTSD, trauma, physical rehabilitation, and reintegration.
• Carriage Driving Adaptive therapeutic carriage driving instruction, PATH International certified, for individuals with disabilities who benefit from driving-based therapy.
• Stable Stars Therapeutic riding program within the ManeGait stable, providing equine-based therapy activities for riders.
• Equestrian Riding Simulator (Samson) Controlled-environment equestrian riding simulator that delivers therapeutic benefits to riders needing practice or skill development before transitioning to live horses.
• Knowledge Center (Training & Certification) Continuing education workshops, instructor training, and certification programs (PATH International Registered Instructor, CHA Instructor of Riders with Disabilities, and GaitWay to the Brain training) for therapeutic horsemanship professionals.
• Gear at the 'Gait (Retail Shop) Online retail storefront selling ManeGait-branded merchandise, including apparel, accessories, gifts, and gift cards in fixed denominations, with proceeds supporting the nonprofit's programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Motor skill proficiency improvements in children with neurodevelopmental disorders including Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brandon Tomes SubarucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTen-year partnership through the Subaru Share the Love Event, choosing ManeGait as a hometown charity. Presented $65,000 check in 2025 and $65,000 in 2024.
• REX Real EstatecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThird year as presenting sponsor for the Annual Gala at the 'Gait, demonstrating continued support for ManeGait's mission.
• Texas Woman's UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership conducting the first-of-its-kind study (2015-2017) with 25 special needs children at ManeGait. Study published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science demonstrating motor skill improvements from therapeutic riding and GaitWay to the Brain.
• Texas Counter FitterscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor for the 2026 Rider Cup Golf Tournament. DFW's Largest Selection of Natural and Engineered Stone.
• TUPPS BreweryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVenue partner for ManeGait LIVE! Country Fair and Concert event in McKinney, TX.
• New York Life DFW General OfficecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting Sponsor for ManeGait LIVE! Country Fair and Concert event.
• Allen STEAM CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllen ISD STEAM Center partnered with ManeGait to restore the Astronaut Board therapy tool, demonstrating community collaboration in therapeutic equipment support.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT): California-based nonprofit equine therapy center serving children, adults, and veterans with disabilities, mental health needs, and at-risk youth. Operates comparable equine-assisted therapy programming to ManeGait.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding: Connecticut-based nonprofit therapeutic riding center providing equine-assisted services for people with disabilities. Comparable programs, instructor training, and special needs populations to ManeGait.
• Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center: Colorado-based nonprofit therapeutic riding center providing equine-assisted activities and therapy for individuals with disabilities. Comparable program mix and beneficiary populations to ManeGait.
• Equest: Texas-based nonprofit equine therapy organization serving children and adults with disabilities through therapeutic riding and related programs. Operates as a near-direct mission and geographic peer to ManeGait.
• Shangri-La Therapeutic Academy of Riding (STAR): Tennessee-based nonprofit therapeutic riding center providing equine-assisted therapy for children and adults with disabilities. Comparable mission, instructional structure, and PATH-aligned programming to ManeGait.
• HorseAbility: Long Island, NY-based nonprofit providing therapeutic horsemanship and equine-facilitated programs for individuals with disabilities. Operates similar program categories (therapeutic riding, carriage driving, instruction) to ManeGait.
• Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center: Michigan-based nonprofit therapeutic riding center serving children and adults with disabilities. Long-established peer organization with similar multi-program model (therapeutic riding, carriage driving, veterans).
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Equine Therapy Center: Illinois-based nonprofit therapeutic horseback riding center serving children and adults with disabilities and veterans. Direct peer in mission, programming breadth, and instructor training offerings.
• Spirit Horse Therapeutic Riding Center: Texas-based therapeutic riding center providing equine-assisted activities to individuals with disabilities. Comparable operating model and regional footprint to ManeGait.

Broad incumbents

• PATH International: Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, the industry association that sets standards and certifies therapeutic riding instructors and centers (including ManeGait's PATH-certified programs). Adjacent to but broader than any single center.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ManeGait
• Facebookfacebook.com/ManeGait
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/manegait-therapeutic-horsemanship

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 ManeGait