What StableStrides does

StableStrides (legal entity Acts 19:11) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit equine-assisted therapy center headquartered at the Latigo Trails Facility in Elbert, Colorado, with a secondary mental-health site at the Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. Founded in 1981 by Gay O'Rourke and rebranded from Pikes Peak Therapeutic Riding Center to StableStrides in May 2021, the organization is the oldest and largest PATH International Premier Accredited equine-assisted therapy center in Southern Colorado and one of only two centers in the region holding that highest-tier credential.

The organization's core technology is equine-assisted therapy, in which horses act as therapeutic partners in three principal modalities: hippotherapy-based Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy (POST); adaptive riding for individuals with disabilities; and mental health therapy addressing PTSD, trauma, depression, and anxiety. Delivery is built around a four-party co-facilitation model (Diamond Model) involving a licensed therapist, an equine specialist, the client, and the horse, with explicit physical and emotional safety protocols. StableStrides maintains a herd of more than 20 therapy horses and operates a METSA-certified miniature therapy horse visiting program that extends animal-assisted services into clinical settings such as UCHealth Adult Out-Patient Rehabilitation. Staff hold multiple certifications including PATH Intl CTRI, ESMHL, EAGALA, Masterson Method, and Tellington Touch.

Revenue is generated from a diversified mix of streams typical of a community nonprofit. Client service fees average $135 per week (with approximately one-third of clients on full or partial scholarship, as equine therapy is rarely covered by insurance); a youth leadership summer camp priced at $350 per week; horse sponsorship at $5,000+/year (full care cost is $15,000/year per horse); individual and corporate donations; and grants from foundations such as the Disabled Veterans National Foundation and El Pomar. Go-to-market is community-led, relying on referrals from healthcare and military partners (UCHealth, Children's Hospital Colorado, Evans Army Health Center, NAMI), word-of-mouth, volunteer engagement, and direct enrollment. The organization is supported by 200+ volunteers and a 12-person named staff operating from two Colorado locations.

Name

StableStrides

Legal name

Acts 19:11, dba StableStrides

Website

https://stablestrides.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

StableStrides is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit equine-assisted therapy center in Colorado serving individuals with disabilities, veterans with PTSD and trauma, and youth through hippotherapy, adaptive riding, and mental health programs since 1981.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Therapy Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (115210)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Equine Therapeutics (Rx) (HLAMAEAC)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted therapy
• Therapeutic horseback riding
• Hippotherapy services
• Adaptive riding programs
• Equine mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Elbert

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Client Service Fees: Fees charged to clients for therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, mental health, and other equine-assisted therapy sessions. Services are rarely covered by insurance with average cost of $135 per week.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundation grants. Organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with Tax ID 74-2232440.
3. Horse Sponsorship Program: Annual sponsorship program for therapy horses starting at $5,000/year. Full cost to care for one horse for one year is $15,000 including hay, supplements, veterinary care, farrier services, tack, blanket, stall bedding, schooling, and daily staff care.
4. Summer Camp Fees: Youth leadership camp programs priced at $350 per week per camper with additional processing fees.
5. Corporate and Foundation Grants: Grant funding from corporate foundations and organizations such as Disabled Veterans National Foundation ($20,000 grant for Military Services Program).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

StableStrides is a nonprofit equine-assisted therapy center that delivers mental health therapy, hippotherapy-based physical/occupational/speech therapy (POST), adaptive (therapeutic) riding, and equine-facilitated learning and coaching using a herd of 20+ trained therapy horses. It additionally runs specialized military, veteran, and first responder services, a youth leadership summer camp (ages 5-16), and a METSA-certified mini therapy horse visiting program, with services priced around $135/week and approximately one-third of clients on scholarship.

Product overview

StableStrides is a nonprofit equine-assisted therapy organization offering a comprehensive suite of therapeutic services centered around horses. The organization provides Mental Health Therapy, Physical/Occupational/Speech Therapy (POST) through hippotherapy, Adaptive Riding, and Equine Facilitated Learning and Coaching as core services. Additional offerings include specialized programs for Military/Veterans/First Responders, a Youth Leadership Summer Camp, and Mini Therapy Horse visiting programs. The organization also operates donor programs including Horse Sponsorship, Client Scholarships, and Facility Sponsorship. StableStrides is a PATH International Premier Accredited Center serving Southern Colorado since 1981.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mental Health Therapy Equine-assisted mental health therapy combining office-based therapy, walk-and-talk therapy, experiential therapy, and animal-assisted therapy for individuals with depression, anxiety, trauma, PTSD, and other mental health conditions.
• Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy (Hippotherapy) Hippotherapy-based physical, occupational, and speech therapy services that utilize the movement of the horse to provide sensory integration and therapeutic benefits for clients with disabilities, injuries, and developmental conditions.
• Adaptive Riding Therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with disabilities, providing physical, emotional, behavioral, and social benefits through structured horse-assisted activities taught by certified instructors.
• Equine Facilitated Learning and Coaching (EFLC) Equine-facilitated learning and coaching programs using structured interactions with horses to build life skills, emotional awareness, and personal growth for individuals and groups.
• Military, Veteran, and First Responder Services Specialized equine-assisted therapeutic services for military personnel, veterans, and first responders addressing PTSD, invisible wounds, physical disabilities, anxiety, depression, and trauma reintegration; partially funded by a $20,000 Disabled Veterans National Foundation grant in 2023.
• Horse Centered Youth Leadership Camp Summer youth leadership camp for children ages 5-16 focused on developing communication, self-control, teamwork, and leadership skills through structured horse interactions, running daily 8:30am-12:00pm with Leadership Certificates awarded at completion.
• Mini Therapy Horse Visiting Program Program deploying METSA-certified miniature therapy horses to visit healthcare facilities and rehabilitation centers (such as UCHealth Adult Out-Patient Rehabilitation) for animal-assisted therapy in clinical environments.
• Horse Sponsorship Program Annual sponsorship program allowing donors to sponsor an individual therapy horse at StableStrides; sponsorships start at $5,000 per year (full cost to care for one horse is $15,000/year) and include name/logo recognition on the stall, website acknowledgment, a meet-and-greet with the horse, and two tickets to the Miracles in Motion Barn Party.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of family members benefited from services
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• UCHealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare system partner providing physical, occupational and speech therapy services through partnership. UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central is a key referral partner. Mini horses have trained at UCHealth Adult Out-Patient Rehabilitation.
• Children's Hospital ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPediatric healthcare partner providing physical, occupational and speech therapy referral services for children.
• NAMI Colorado SpringscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health nonprofit partner providing community mental health support and resources.
• Mt. Carmel Veterans CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans services organization providing support and referrals for military veterans accessing StableStrides programs.
• Home Front Military NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary family support organization partnering on inclusion initiatives and veteran outreach.
• PATH InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional accrediting organization for equine-assisted therapy. StableStrides is one of only two PATH International Premier Accredited centers in Southern Colorado.
• Evans Army Health CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMilitary healthcare facility providing TRICARE referrals and healthcare services for military personnel and families.
• Military Arts ConnectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization connecting military community with arts and healing programs.
• Joining Community ForcesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColorado organization supporting military families and veterans through community connections.
• Cedar Springs Behavioral Health ServicesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBehavioral health provider partner offering mental health services and referrals.
• EAGALAcoreTechnology or IntegrationEquine Assisted Growth and Learning Association providing training and certification for mental health practitioners. StableStrides hosts EAGALA Fundamentals training.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Equi-Librium: Pennsylvania-based PATH Premier Accredited center offering adaptive riding, hippotherapy, and equine-facilitated mental health services. Closely comparable in accreditation level and combination of POST and mental health programming.
• High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program: Vermont-based PATH accredited nonprofit offering adaptive riding, equine-facilitated mental health, and hippotherapy services to individuals with disabilities. Comparable therapeutic service portfolio and PATH-affiliated nonprofit structure.
• Healing Strides of Virginia: Virginia-based PATH accredited nonprofit providing therapeutic riding, equine-assisted psychotherapy, and veterans programs. Directly comparable in therapeutic service mix, veteran focus, and regional nonprofit operating model.
• Heartland Therapeutic Riding: Kansas-based PATH accredited center providing adaptive riding and equine-assisted therapy to children and adults with disabilities, including veterans. Comparable in service mix and nonprofit operating model in a regional market.
• Green Chimneys: Brewster, NY-based nonprofit combining animal-assisted therapy (horses, farm animals) with mental health, special education, and youth development programs. Comparable in integrating equine therapy into mental health and youth programs under a nonprofit model.
• Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center: PATH International Premier Accredited center in Michigan providing equine-assisted therapy, hippotherapy, and adaptive riding to children and adults with disabilities and mental health needs. Highly comparable service mix, accreditation status, and nonprofit delivery model to StableStrides.
• Chastain Horse Park & Equestrian Center (Therapeutic Program): Atlanta-area PATH affiliated therapeutic riding program operating within a larger equestrian park, serving individuals with disabilities and youth development participants. Comparable in combining adaptive riding, mental health, and youth programming under a nonprofit umbrella.
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: Illinois-based PATH Premier Accredited center delivering adaptive riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted mental health services, with a strong veteran services program. Comparable to StableStrides in accreditation tier, veteran focus, and multi-modality therapy delivery.
• Mane in Heaven Therapeutic Riding Center: Illinois-based nonprofit offering adaptive riding and equine-assisted therapy for children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Comparable in service mix, client segments (special needs children, veterans), and nonprofit delivery.
• Pegasus Therapeutic Riding: New Jersey-based PATH Premier Accredited nonprofit providing adaptive riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted learning for individuals with special needs. Comparable in therapeutic services, PATH Premier accreditation, and regional nonprofit delivery.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/StableStrides
• Instagraminstagram.com/stablestrides
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stablestrides

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 StableStrides