Helping Horse Therapeutic Programs

What Helping Horse Therapeutic Programs does

Helping Horse Therapeutic Programs is a private nonprofit therapeutic horseback riding center founded in 1989 and headquartered at a single farm location at 5104 Riley Hill Rd in Wendell, North Carolina. The organization provides two core programs: a Therapeutic Riding Program delivering group mounted riding lessons to children and adults (ages 4 and up) with physical, mental, and emotional special needs, and a First Responders and Veterans (FRV) Program offering unmounted horsemanship, mindfulness, and equine-assisted wellness sessions to veterans and active first responders referred through the Durham VA Health Care System and local public safety agencies. The core service model leverages the horse-human connection to deliver physical, cognitive, emotional, and social benefits through a 30-week riding season (September-May) plus summer sessions, with a herd of 9 horses and ponies.

The business model combines rider tuition with a heavy reliance on charitable contributions, with donations covering approximately 75% of annual operating expenses. Revenue streams include recurring rider tuition payments (collected via GiveSmart portal, Venmo, and mailed checks), individual one-time and recurring donations, and a tiered Horseshoe Fundraiser horse sponsorship program (Platinum $4,200/year through Bronze $350/month). Operations are supported by over 100 trained volunteers serving as Side Walkers, Horse Leaders, and Riding Instructors, with a small paid staff led by Executive Director Jackie Saxton. The organization holds Candid Platinum Transparency and Charity Navigator Four-Star ratings and is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Distribution is exclusively direct on-farm at the Wendell location with no digital product or channel resale components; marketing relies on organic social media, email newsletters, referral networks, and annual community events including the Holiday Festival and Horseshoe Campaign.

Name

Helping Horse Therapeutic Programs

Legal name

Helping Horse, Inc.

Website

https://helpinghorse.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Helping Horse Therapeutic Programs is a Wendell, North Carolina-based nonprofit founded in 1989 that provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons to children and young adults with special needs, plus free equine-assisted wellness sessions for first responders and veterans, funded primarily through donations and rider tuition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Riding Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Animal Production (115210)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs (AFAEAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Horse Boarding, Livery & Stable Operations (AFAEAGAG)

Keywords

• Therapeutic horseback riding
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Adaptive riding programs
• Special needs services
• Veteran wellness programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Wendell, North Carolina

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Rider Tuition Payments: Riders pay tuition for lessons, though it covers only a portion of annual operating expenses. Payments accepted via credit card portal, Venmo, and mailed checks.
2. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring monetary donations from individuals. Donations offset 75% of annual operating expenses and support riders, volunteers, and horse care.
3. Horse Sponsorship (Horseshoe Fundraiser): Tiered horse sponsorship program with Platinum ($4,200/year), Gold ($2,100/6 months), Silver ($1,050/3 months), and Bronze ($350/month) levels to cover horse care costs.
4. First Responders & Veterans Program (Free): FRV program is provided free of charge to participants. Funded through dedicated donations. Individuals receive up to 8 hours of private sessions; families receive up to three 2-hour sessions. Referral-based from Durham VA and local first responder departments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Helping Horse Therapeutic Programs delivers therapeutic horseback riding lessons to individuals with physical, mental, and emotional special needs (ages 4+) using a herd of nine horses and ponies and over 100 trained volunteers. Riders participate in a 30-week season (September-May) plus summer sessions, six days a week at its Wendell, NC farm. The organization also operates a free First Responders and Veterans Program providing unmounted horsemanship, mindfulness, and equine-relationship sessions for active first responders and veterans referred by the Durham VA Health Care System and local law enforcement, fire, and EMS departments.

Product overview

Helping Horse Therapeutic Programs operates as a single-site therapeutic riding center offering two core programs: the Therapeutic Riding Program providing mounted horseback riding lessons for individuals with special needs (ages 4+), and the First Responders and Veterans (FRV) Program offering unmounted equine-assisted wellness sessions. The organization also hosts community events including an Annual Holiday Festival and Horseshoe Fundraiser campaign. Classes are available six days a week (Monday through Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday) following a traditional school calendar (September–May) with summer sessions available. All programs leverage the horse-human connection to promote physical, emotional, and social well-being.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapeutic Riding Program Group horseback riding lessons for individuals ages 4 and up with physical, mental, and emotional special needs. Combines riding skills with structured games and activities to develop physical strength, balance, coordination, communication, social skills, self-confidence, emotional calm, and physical stamina. Riders enroll for a 30-week season (September-May) plus summer sessions, attend weekly classes at the Wendell farm, and are matched to one of nine horses or ponies ranging from 12 to 16 hands. Enrollment is initiated via a New Student Application and evaluation ride.
• First Responders and Veterans Program (FRV) Equine-assisted wellness program providing unmounted horsemanship, mindfulness activities, and equine relationship-building sessions for active first responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS) and military veterans. Free of charge to participants. Individuals receive up to 8 hours of private sessions and families receive up to three 2-hour sessions. Enrollment is referral-based through the Durham VA Health Care System and local first responder departments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Rider tuition and donations sustain a 30-week seasonal program serving the greater Triangle area of NC with 100+ volunteers and 9 horses
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Durham VA Health Care SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe FRV program is referral-based, with the Durham VA Health Care System referring veterans to the program. Participants receive up to 8 hours of private sessions free of charge as part of this partnership.
• Local Law Enforcement, Fire, and EMS DepartmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal first responder agencies refer active duty personnel (law enforcement, fire, EMS) to the free FRV program. These referral partnerships enable first responders to access mindfulness and horsemanship activities at no cost.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: BraveHearts is a therapeutic horseback riding center serving individuals with disabilities and wounded veterans in the Midwest. Like Helping Horse, it offers both mounted therapeutic riding and unmounted horsemanship programs for veterans and at-risk youth, with a similar volunteer-driven nonprofit model.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center: High Hopes provides equine-assisted services to people with disabilities and other special needs in Connecticut, with PATH Int'l certified instructors and a similar donor- and volunteer-supported operating model.
• Pegasus Therapeutic Riding: Pegasus is a PATH Int'l Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center serving individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities in the Northeast. Comparable in program design, instructor certifications, and nonprofit fundraising structure.
• STRIDE (formerly Horses for the Handicapped): STRIDE provides equine-assisted activities and therapies to people with disabilities in Colorado and beyond. Directly comparable in therapeutic riding focus, veteran programs, and nonprofit fundraising structure.
• Gallop NYC: Gallop NYC provides therapeutic horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities in New York City, including a veteran-specific program. Shares the equine-assisted therapy mission, veteran outreach component, and volunteer-driven service delivery model.
• Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center: Little Bit is one of the largest PATH Int'l Premier Accredited therapeutic riding centers in the U.S., serving children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted activities. It is directly comparable in mission, programming, and reliance on volunteer Side Walkers.
• Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center: Cheff Center is a PATH Int'l Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center serving individuals with disabilities in Michigan. Comparable in offering therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted learning programs through certified instructors.

Broad incumbents

• EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association): EAGALA is a leading professional association for equine-assisted psychotherapy and personal development, providing certifications and standards. Relevant as an adjacent incumbent in the broader equine-assisted services space where Helping Horse's FRV program sits.
• Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Int'l): PATH Int'l is the industry membership and accreditation body for therapeutic riding centers and certified instructors globally. It serves as the umbrella organization setting standards for centers like Helping Horse rather than competing directly for riders.

Others

• Horses & Humans Research Foundation: HHRF funds and disseminates research on the physical, cognitive, and emotional benefits of equine-assisted activities. It is a thematically related enabling organization that supports the broader evidence base Helping Horse relies upon for program credibility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqOav81IWaaJkiOcWpVbOEw
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Helping-Horse-Therapeutic-Riding-Program/216102211806585?fref=ts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helping-horse-therapeutic-programs
• Instagraminstagram.com/helping_horse_trp

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Helping Horse Therapeutic Programs