HETRA

What HETRA does

HETRA (Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 in Omaha, Nebraska and now headquartered in Gretna, NE on a 20+ acre campus. It delivers equine-assisted services to children and adults with disabilities, veterans and first responders, and at-risk youth, with over 150 participants served weekly through adaptive riding, hippotherapy, adaptive carriage driving, equine-facilitated mental health, equine-assisted learning, and life-skills programming, supported by 25+ therapy horses and 26,000+ volunteer hours annually. Services are led by PATH Intl. certified instructors and licensed occupational, physical, and speech therapists, with a Hippotherapy Clinical Specialist (HPCS) and ESMHL credentials on staff; HETRA is the only PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in Nebraska.

Revenue mechanics blend fee-for-service session income, ancillary paid experiences (summer camps at $90, painting events at $30, yoga with mini horses at $20, cornhole team entries at $50, nonprofit executive retreats at $50), tuition-like revenue from HETRA University's online courses and PATH Intl. CEU-eligible webinars, and contributed income via donations, grants, and signature events (e.g., the 25th Annual Blue Jeans & Dreams benefit). Sponsorship relationships with regional brands (Union Pacific, HyVee, Mutual of Omaha, Eide Bailly, Culver's) provide material underwriting, and a notable 2024-2025 expansion into education (HETRA University, podcast, kids' content, internship/mentoring) effectively creates an additional content and curriculum distribution channel beyond the physical facility.

Name

HETRA

Legal name

Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy

Website

https://hetra.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HETRA is a Nebraska-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides equine-assisted therapy, adaptive riding, and mental health services to individuals with disabilities, veterans, first responders, and youth, operating from a 20+ acre facility in Gretna with 25+ therapy horses and PATH Intl. Premier Accreditation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Therapeutic Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Educational Support Services (611710), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Equine Veterinary Services (AFAEANAC), Independent Living Skills Training (ADLs/IADLs) (EDAKANAG), Adaptive Physical Education (APE) Collaboration & Motor Skills Support (EDAKAGAF), Self-Advocacy & Self-Determination Training (EDAKANAI)

Keywords

• Therapeutic riding services
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Hippotherapy services
• Adaptive carriage driving
• Nonprofit disability services

Headquarters

HQ city

Gretna

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Session Fees: Fees charged to participants for therapeutic riding, carriage driving, and other equine-assisted services
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting the nonprofit mission
3. Fundraising Events: Revenue from signature events including Blue Jeans & Dreams benefit ($204,000 raised in Mission Moment alone), Cornhole Tournament, and other fundraising activities
4. HETRA University Education Programs: Revenue from educational programs, webinars, mentoring services, and curriculum sales through HETRA University
5. Community Programs and Camps: Fees from summer camps, painting events, yoga sessions, and other community programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

HETRA delivers equine-assisted therapeutic and educational services from its Gretna, Nebraska campus, including adaptive riding, hippotherapy (therapy services), adaptive carriage driving, equine facilitated mental health, equine-assisted learning, and life skills programs. These services are led by PATH, Intl. certified instructors and licensed occupational, physical, and speech therapists for individuals with disabilities, veterans, first responders, teens, and the general public. The organization also operates HETRA University, an online education platform offering webinars, mini-courses, and mentoring for equine-assisted services professionals.

Product overview

HETRA (Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of equine-assisted therapeutic and educational services. The core offerings center on adaptive riding, hippotherapy (Therapy Services), adaptive carriage driving, equine facilitated mental health, life skills, and public riding programs. These therapeutic programs are led by PATH, Intl. certified instructors and licensed therapists. HETRA University extends the mission through online education, webinars, podcasts, and mentoring services for the broader equine-assisted services industry. Seasonal youth programming includes miniature horse camps and Ground & Grow camps. Community experiences encompass painting events, yoga with mini horses, and corporate retreats. Auxiliary offerings include a Tack Shack retail store, blanket washing services, and the 401HAY retirement plan for therapy horses. As Nebraska's only PATH, Intl. Premier Accredited Center, the organization serves over 150 participants weekly with support from 25 therapy horses.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HETRA University: Online education platform offering self-paced mini-courses, webinars, and educational content for instructors and therapists in equine-assisted services.
• HETRA University for Kids!
• Not Just A Pony Ride Podcast
• 401HAY Plan

Products and services

• Adaptive Riding Equine-assisted activity for individuals with special needs, contributing positively to cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being. Led by PATH, Intl. certified instructors.
• Therapy Services (Hippotherapy) Therapy sessions conducted by Occupational, Physical or Speech Therapists (OT, PT, ST) using the movement of the horse to facilitate improvements in clients/patients.
• Adaptive Carriage Driving Carriage driving program offering participants who cannot be mounted on a horse the rewards of interaction and control of a horse while driving from a carriage seat.
• Equine Assisted Learning Educational approach that facilitates development of critical life skills through unique activities with horses, teaching character development and reinforcing skills such as communication, confidence, teamwork, trust, and responsibility.
• Equine Facilitated Mental Health Interactive process in which a licensed mental health professional partners with suitable equine(s) to address psychotherapy goals set forth by the mental health professional and the client.
• Life Skills Program encouraging personal mental health growth in areas of physiological and safety needs, belongingness and self-esteem, and self-actualization. Uses horse partnership to reinforce lessons on goals, communication, nutrition, and sense of belonging.
• Public Riding English and Western riding lessons offered to the general public, popular with volunteers and families of participants, integrated with adaptive riding participants.
• Miniature Horse Programming Programs utilizing miniature horses for therapeutic interactions, including on-site learning and youth camps.
• Veteran & First Responder Programs Equine services for Veterans, Service Members, and First Responders, including adaptive riding, carriage driving, and specialized courses offered at no cost to eligible participants.
• Company Retreats / Team Building Corporate team building and retreat experiences using equine-assisted activities to develop teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.
• HETRA University Online education platform providing instructor- and therapist-led online resources, self-paced mini-courses, webinars (many pre-approved by PATH Intl. for CEU eligibility), and mentoring services.
• HETRA University for Kids! Children's educational programming featuring Story Time with the Minis, coloring pages, and worksheets about horses and therapy.
• Miniature Horse Camp Summer camp program for children ages 5-12 featuring interaction with miniature horses (Blue, Stormy, Merry, Lala) while learning life skills such as communication, health and wellness, and teamwork.
• Ground & Grow Horse & Nature Camp Ground-based camp for kids and teens ages 6-16 focused on connection, confidence, and calm through hands-on time with horses, teaching horse behavior reading, safe handling, and life skills.
• Workforce Readiness Program Summer workforce apprenticeship program for individuals ages 14+ developing both hard and soft job skills including task completion, time management, communication, and collaboration through hands-on activities.
• Summer Life Skills Program Weekly program for teens and young adults ages 13+ building social skills, confidence, and responsibility while completing work tasks and horse-related activities with miniature horses.
• Yoga with Mini Horses Yin-style yoga class enhanced by the calming presence of roaming miniature horses, led by Lotus House of Yoga instructor.
• Painting with Horses Art event where participants create a painting instructed by a professional while surrounded by horses in the arena.
• Nonprofit Retreat for Executive Directors Executive director retreat offering opportunity to step away from daily responsibilities and reconnect through guided equine experiences, focused on leadership, balance, resilience, and well-being.
• Caregiver Connections Program Community experience program offered at $20 per person to support caregivers of HETRA participants.
• Tack Shack On-site retail shop offering equestrian supplies and equipment.
• Blanket Washing Services Professional blanket washing services for horse blankets.
• Not Just A Pony Ride Podcast Podcast hosted by Occupational Therapist Kaiti Otte exploring the ins and outs of Equine-Assisted Services, highlighting why therapeutic work with horses is more than just a pony ride.

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving 150+ participants weekly
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Culver'sflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 April 2026Platinum sponsor of 25th Annual Blue Jeans & Dreams benefit fundraiser. Culver's is a restaurant chain with community involvement in supporting local nonprofits.
• Moving PartsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 April 2026Platinum sponsor of 25th Annual Blue Jeans & Dreams benefit fundraiser.
• Union PacificcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 April 2026Diamond sponsor of 25th Annual Blue Jeans & Dreams benefit fundraiser.
• HyVeecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 April 2026Diamond sponsor of 25th Annual Blue Jeans & Dreams benefit fundraiser.
• Eide BaillycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 April 2026Diamond sponsor of 25th Annual Blue Jeans & Dreams benefit fundraiser.
• Mutual of OmahaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 April 2026Denim sponsor of 25th Annual Blue Jeans & Dreams benefit fundraiser.
• Dayspring BankcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 April 2026Diamond sponsor and event sponsor for Quasar Drive-in's Classics with a Cause fundraiser.
• Rocket CarWashminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner supporting HETRA volunteers.
• Lotus House of YogaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Yoga with Mini Horses events. Kaity Brown of Lotus House of Yoga leads yin-style yoga classes enhanced by HETRA's miniature horses.
• PATH, Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsing)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHETRA is Nebraska's only PATH, Intl. Premier Accredited Center. PATH, Intl. is the premier accrediting body for therapeutic riding centers, providing certification for instructors and standards for operations.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Mane Stream: Oldwick, NJ PATH Premier Accredited Center offering adaptive riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted services to individuals with special needs. Highly comparable clinical-staffing model and program portfolio.
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center in Harvard, IL serving riders with disabilities, veterans, and at-risk youth. Highly comparable operating model with similar programming breadth, volunteer base, and equine-assisted therapy focus.
• Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center: Augusta, MI PATH Premier Accredited Center providing hippotherapy, adaptive riding, and veteran services. Comparable licensed-therapist staffing model and similar facility/infrastructure footprint.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding: Durham, CT PATH Premier Accredited Center offering adaptive riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted learning. Comparable licensed-therapist staffing, breadth of programming, and similar nonprofit fundraising model.
• National Ability Center: Park City, UT nonprofit offering equine-assisted services, adaptive recreation, and veteran programs. Comparable scale and mission focus on disability services, with similar sponsorship/event-driven fundraising model.
• Equest: Wylie, TX nonprofit therapeutic horsemanship center serving children and adults with disabilities. Comparable mix of hippotherapy, adaptive riding, mental health programming, and equine education offerings.
• STRIDES of Northeast Florida: Jacksonville, FL nonprofit therapeutic riding organization serving individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted activities. Comparable program structure, volunteer base, and PATH Intl. operational standards.
• HorsePower: Middleburg, VA therapeutic riding nonprofit serving riders with disabilities and veterans. Comparable geographic-suburban facility model and similar volunteer-driven service delivery.

Others

• American Hippotherapy Association: Professional organization governing hippotherapy practice and therapist education. Not a service provider but a credentialing and education body whose standards and certifications underpin HETRA's clinical Therapy Services program.
• PATH International: The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International — the premier accrediting body for therapeutic riding centers and HETRA's flagship strategic partner. Not a competitor but an ecosystem enabler and standards-setter that directly shapes HETRA's addressable market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@HETRANebraska
• Facebookfacebook.com/TeamHETRA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/teamhetra
• Instagraminstagram.com/team_hetra
• Xx.com/HETRA

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 HETRA