National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy

What National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy does

The National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT) is a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit public benefit corporation founded in 1971, operating a 12-acre ranch facility at 880 Runnymede Road, Woodside, CA. It is a pioneer and internationally recognized provider of equine-assisted therapy, delivering over 4,000 program sessions to more than 400 clients annually. Core services include Physical and Occupational Therapy (hippotherapy) using medical-grade equine movement as a dynamic treatment strategy that delivers approximately 3,000 repetitions of movement per 30-minute session, Mental Health and Resilience programs (Walk and Talk, Life Review, Buckaroos/Steps/Strides workshops, Healing with the Herd) facilitated by licensed clinicians, and Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship instruction by PATH-certified instructors. The organization serves individuals with physical, developmental, and mental health conditions, U.S. Military Veterans and First Responders (services provided at no charge), and youth through camps and special education school programs.

NCEFT runs as a private-pay, direct-delivery provider with all clinical services rendered on-site. Pricing is published per CPT code (e.g., $195 per typical 30-minute therapy session, $103 per 30-minute adaptive riding individual session, $121-$242 per mental health session) and the organization does not accept insurance, Medicare, or Medi-Cal. Revenue is generated through session fees, donations (individual, corporate, foundation, vehicle/real-estate/stock), an annual Polo Charity Classic, horse sponsorships, and facility rentals including The Loft venue and covered arena for corporate retreats. Referral channels include physician prescriptions, VA Palo Alto Health Care Services, special education school partnerships, and direct online applications.

Technology investment is concentrated in clinical infrastructure rather than software: a specialty-trained therapy horse herd, an overhead lift mounting system for clients with significant physical disabilities, a sensory trail, and a 13,500 sq ft covered arena. Back-office technology comprises standard nonprofit SaaS (DonorPerfect, Constant Contact, Double the Donation, CARS, Giving Property). The organization is led by Executive Director Nancy Contro (MSW, LCSW), Program Director Chris Swan (MSPT, HPCS), and Development Director Scott Lohmann, with active hiring underway across clinical roles.

Name

National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy

Legal name

The National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy

Website

https://nceft.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NCEFT is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) operating a 12-acre equine-assisted therapy ranch in Woodside, California, founded in 1971. It delivers hippotherapy, mental health services, adaptive riding, and veteran programs to more than 400 clients via 4,000+ annual sessions, supplemented by donations and facility rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Therapy Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Offices of Other Health Practitioners (6213)

SIC

Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Neurorehabilitation Centers (HLAFAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Neurologic Rehabilitation (Stroke, TBI, Parkinson’s, MS) (HSADAIAC), Outpatient Occupational Therapy (OT) Clinics (HLADAJAE), Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted therapy
• Hippotherapy services
• Adaptive riding
• Mental health programs
• Therapy nonprofit

Headquarters

HQ city

Redwood City

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, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Therapeutic session fees: NCEFT generates primary revenue from client session fees for physical/occupational therapy, adaptive riding, and mental health services. Clients pay invoices in full; NCEFT provides monthly superbills for insurance reimbursement submissions. U.S. Military Veterans and First Responders receive services at no charge.
2. Donations and fundraising: Charitable donations from individuals, corporate sponsors, and foundations constitute significant revenue. Annual events include the Polo Charity Classic with tiered sponsorship packages ($3,000–$25,000). The 2026 Spring Campaign seeks $250,000 with a $30,000 matching donor. Additional programs include planned giving, stock donations, real estate donations, vehicle donations, and horse sponsorships.
3. Facility rental and retreats: NCEFT rents its facilities including The Loft at NCEFT (up to 35 guests), covered arena (approximately 300 guests), and outdoor patio spaces. Customized group retreats combining equine-assisted activities with licensed mental health facilitation are offered. Revenue from retreat facilitation complements facility rental income.
4. Horse sponsorship program: Individuals can sponsor NCEFT horses at various levels providing essential feed, bedding, and routine vaccinations. Sponsorships include signage, private tours, framed photos, and public recognition on website, newsletter, and social media.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

NCEFT delivers equine-assisted therapy, adaptive riding, and mental health programs using medical-grade equine movement as a dynamic clinical treatment tool at its 12-acre ranch in Woodside, California. Services include physical/occupational/speech therapy (hippotherapy), adaptive riding and horsemanship, mental health and resilience programs, group retreats, and free programs for U.S. Military Veterans and First Responders. The organization serves more than 400 clients annually across more than 4,000 program sessions through licensed therapists, PATH-certified instructors, and licensed mental health clinicians.

Product overview

NCEFT offers a comprehensive suite of equine-assisted therapy and wellness programs centered around hippotherapy and adaptive riding. The core offerings include Physical and Occupational Therapy using medical-quality equine movement, Mental Health and Resilience programs (Walk and Talk, Life Review, Buckaroos/Steps/Strides workshops, Trailblazers camp, Healing with the Herd), Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship lessons, and the Horsemanship Academy. Additional programs include Veteran and First Responder Programs (offered free of charge), Happy Trails Camp (summer day camp), and the Special Education School Program. Group Retreats and Facility Rental services provide team-building retreats and venue access including The Loft at NCEFT. The organization operates as a nonprofit offering these interconnected therapeutic and recreational services from their 12-acre ranch in Woodside, California.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical and Occupational Therapy Physical and occupational therapy sessions using medical-quality equine movement (hippotherapy) to improve neuromotor and sensorimotor function, balance, postural control, and gross motor skills. A typical 30-minute session delivers approximately 3,000 repetitions of movement replicating normal human walking patterns. Sessions are led by licensed therapists who manipulate equine movement to engage sensorimotor and neuromotor systems.
• Mental Health and Resilience Individual and group mental health services incorporating equine interactions for children, adults, veterans, first responders, and specialized populations including cancer survivors. Programs address PTSD/trauma, anxiety, depression, fears and social isolation, ADD/ADHD, anger management, family issues, stress management, relationship struggles, and grief and loss. Includes Walk and Talk, Buckaroos, Steps, Strides, Trailblazers, Healing with the Herd, Life Review, and Group Retreats.
• Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship Recreational horseback riding and horsemanship lessons adapted for each client's individual ability, taught by PATH-certified instructors. Includes mounted and unmounted activities improving flexibility, balance, muscle strength, attention span, social interactions, confidence, and self-esteem for individuals ages 4 and older.
• Group Retreats and Facility Rental Equine-assisted corporate team-building retreats, leadership development, group dynamics facilitation, and facility rentals including The Loft venue (up to 35 guests) and the covered arena (up to approximately 300 guests) on NCEFT's 12-acre ranch facility. Customized retreats are facilitated by licensed mental health professionals and equine specialists.
• Veteran and First Responder Programs Free-of-charge therapeutic programs for U.S. Military Veterans and First Responders including Physical and Occupational Therapy, Mental Health and Resilience Programs, and Adaptive Recreation and Horsemanship. Programs address PTSD/trauma, anxiety, depression, physical rehabilitation, and social reintegration. Referrals accepted from VA Palo Alto Health Care Services and self-referral.
• Happy Trails Camp Week-long summer day camp for NCEFT Adaptive Riding and Hippotherapy clients and their siblings ages 6 and older, featuring hands-on horsemanship activities, games, and arts and crafts.
• Special Education School Program Field-study program for public and private special education classes providing outdoor farm experiences including horseback riding, arts and crafts, and carriage rides over four weekly sessions lasting two hours each. Schools and teachers contact NCEFT to arrange participation.
• Horsemanship Academy Ten-week unmounted program developing horsemanship skills including equine behavior, stable management, grooming, and groundwork for ages 5 and older.
• Walk and Talk Services Individual mental health sessions combining walking on the ranch with therapeutic equine interactions for ages 5 and older. Available in 30-minute and 60-minute session lengths.
• Buckaroos, Steps, and Strides Resilience Workshops Age-differentiated resilience workshops for elementary, middle, and high school students incorporating equine interactions, journaling, and group activities. Steps Resilience Workshop for middle schoolers offers ten 90-minute sessions.
• Trailblazers Summer Camp Week-long summer camp for middle school students (ages 11-14) focused on building resilience, mindfulness skills, and peer connections through horsemanship activities.
• Life Review Program Eight-session program helping participants reflect on and find meaning in life experiences, designed for adults and seniors processing grief, illness, or major life transitions.
• Healing with the Herd Resilience workshop for women with cancer or other chronic illnesses incorporating equine-assisted activities for emotional support and healing.

Quantifiable outcome

• In a typical 30-minute therapy session, a horse provides approximately 3,000 steps that expose clients to movement patterns replicating normal human walking, providing opportunities to practice and refine balance responses.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bayhill EquinecoreOthersBayhill Equine provides exemplary veterinary care for NCEFT's therapy herd. The practice is also listed as a sponsor of the 2026 Polo Charity Classic at the Chukker ($6,000+) level. Bayhill Equine serves as NCEFT's veterinary partner, ensuring horses maintain top health condition for therapy work.
• Performance HorseshoeingcoreOthersPerformance Horseshoeing provides farrier care for NCEFT's therapy horses as part of the comprehensive horse care program that maintains the herd in top condition for therapy sessions.
• Charitable Adult Rides and Services (CARS)minorOthersNCEFT partners with CARS to benefit from donations of new or used vehicles. CARS handles vehicle pick-up, disposal, and auction, donating the majority of proceeds to NCEFT. Donors receive IRS Form 1098-C for tax purposes for vehicle donations worth $500 or more.
• Giving PropertyminorOthersNCEFT partners with Giving Property to process real estate donations. Giving Property accepts any property type in any location with equity, covering loans, liens, commissions, and closing costs. All proceeds from real estate donations directly support NCEFT's programs.
• Tack Gives BackminorOthersTack Gives Back is an onsite equestrian goods resale operation at NCEFT supporting the equine community and environment through resale, recycle, and donation of equestrian goods. A portion of proceeds from tack sales supports NCEFT. NCEFT accepts tack donations on behalf of Tack Gives Back by appointment only.
• VA Palo Alto Health Care ServicescoreOthersVA Palo Alto Health Care Services refers veterans with serious mental illness to NCEFT programming. Recreational therapists at the VA actively recommend NCEFT services to eligible veterans. The VA has provided testimonials about the invaluable impact of NCEFT's programs on veteran mental health outcomes.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: Illinois-headquartered nonprofit providing equine-assisted services to veterans, first responders, and people with disabilities; especially comparable for its free veteran program delivery model.
• Mane Stream: New Jersey nonprofit offering equine-assisted therapy, adaptive riding, and equine-facilitated mental health programs to people with special needs — directly analogous service continuum and nonprofit operation.
• Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center: Colorado nonprofit delivering equine-assisted therapy and adaptive riding with similar clinical and volunteer-based model; comparable scale and programming breadth including mental health and veteran work.
• Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center: Michigan-based nonprofit providing hippotherapy, adaptive riding, and equine-assisted services to individuals with disabilities, veterans, and at-risk youth — directly comparable to NCEFT in modality, mission, and operating model.
• SpiritHorse International: Texas-based nonprofit providing equine-assisted services including youth and veteran programs at no cost; comparable mission-driven, donor-supported operating model with broad program mix.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding & Wellness Center: Connecticut nonprofit offering adaptive riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted learning for clients with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges — closely analogous service mix and nonprofit structure.

Broad incumbents

• PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship): Industry governing body that certifies instructors and accredits equine therapy centers; NCEFT's PATH-certified instructors and accredited program position it within this broader ecosystem.
• Burke Rehabilitation Hospital: Neurorehabilitation hospital providing post-acute rehab for stroke, TBI, and similar conditions — adjacent inpatient competitor for the same patient populations NCEFT serves through outpatient equine-assisted therapy.

Others

• Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA): Professional organization supporting mental-health focused equine-assisted services; relevant as NCEFT expands mental health and resilience programming not strictly using mounted hippotherapy.

Emerging players

• Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Equestrian Therapy Program: Large pediatric hospital network integrating equine-assisted therapy into broader rehabilitation programs — represents a possible direction for institutional integration of equine modalities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/nceft
• Facebookfacebook.com/NCEFT
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-national-center-for-equine-facilitated-therapy
• Instagraminstagram.com/nceft
• Xx.com/nceft

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy