dreams on horseback

What dreams on horseback does

Dreams on Horseback is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 2002 and headquartered in Blacklick, Ohio, that delivers equine-assisted therapeutic riding, learning, and vocational programs. The organization operates a PATH Intl. premier accredited center delivering over 35,000 participant hours annually, serving individuals with special needs, military personnel and veterans, seniors (including those with Alzheimer's), school groups, and corporate teams. Core programs include Therapeutic Riding, Military Connections, Vocational Training, Social Emotional Learning, Senior Sensory Experiences, Corporate Team Building, and Field Trips, supplemented by a Mobile Minis outreach program that brings horse-partnered learning to schools and care centers across Central Ohio.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid model combining individual and corporate donations, foundation grants (Ingram White Castle Foundation, Columbus Foundation, DVNF, Big Lots Foundation, New Albany Foundation, Discover, ADP, Morgan Stanley, HCL, Roush, Rocky Brands), Kroger Community Rewards affiliate giving (~$2,000/year), annual fundraising events (Autumn Dreams Horse Show, Walk, Trot & Decanter Gala), and fee-for-service program revenue from traditional riding lessons ($80 private, $60 semi-private) and summer camps ($500/week). The organization operates two facilities — the main Blacklick PATH-accredited center and the Stepping Stone Stables satellite location in Columbus — and maintains a sister facility, Field of Dreams Equine Education Center, that delivers traditional riding lessons and youth camps. The organization hosts an active research partnership with The Ohio State University studying hippotherapy effects on children with cerebral palsy and autism, and has earned PATH Intl. premier accreditation, Candid Gold and Guardian seals, and a regional Emmy for documentary content.

Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on referrals from schools, healthcare providers, and military organizations, supported by a multi-channel marketing mix including a website, YouTube content, email newsletters, social media, and PR/earned media coverage. The board and executive team reflect strong Central Ohio civic and corporate ties, with leadership drawn from Designer Brands, National Church Residences, Anderson Concrete, Health Care Logistics, and Bella Vista Equine Veterinary Services.

Name

dreams on horseback

Legal name

Dreams on Horseback

Website

https://dreamsonhorseback.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dreams on Horseback is a 501(c)(3) non-profit in Blacklick, Ohio, delivering PATH Intl. accredited equine-assisted therapeutic riding, military, vocational, and social-emotional learning programs to individuals with special needs, veterans, seniors, and school groups across Central Ohio.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Riding Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Adventure Therapy & Therapeutic Wilderness Programs (THAAAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Adaptive & Special Needs Personal Training (HSADAAAL), Equestrian & Horse Trekking Centers (THAAAKAL)

Keywords

• Therapeutic riding programs
• Equine-assisted learning
• Hippotherapy services
• Vocational training programs
• Military veteran services

Headquarters

HQ city

Blacklick

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Giving: Individual and corporate donations at various giving levels ranging from $50 to $3,600+ supporting specific programs like therapeutic riding lessons, horse care, and military programs
2. Program Fees: Fees for riding lessons including private orientation lessons at $80 and semi-private lessons at $60, summer camps for ages 7-14
3. Kroger Community Rewards: Percentage of grocery purchases from Kroger customers who designate Dreams on Horseback as their charity, generating approximately $2,000 annually
4. Event Fundraising: Annual gala events like Walk, Trot, & Decanter and Autumn Dreams Horse Show that combine fundraising with community engagement
5. Foundation Grants: Grants from organizations like Ingram White Castle Foundation, Columbus Foundation, and DVNF supporting specific programs and participant scholarships

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Dreams on Horseback is a 501(c)(3) non-profit PATH Intl. premier accredited therapeutic riding organization that delivers equine-assisted programs including therapeutic riding for individuals with special needs, equine-assisted social-emotional learning, military and veteran programs, vocational training for young adults with disabilities, senior sensory experiences, traditional riding lessons, corporate team building, and field trips. The organization hosts over 35,000 participant hours annually at its facilities in Blacklick, Ohio, with a Mobile Minis program extending services to schools and community locations.

Product overview

Dreams on Horseback is a non-profit PATH Intl. premier accredited therapeutic riding organization offering a portfolio of horse-partnered programs. The core offerings include Therapeutic Riding for individuals with special needs and Traditional Riding Lessons for general learners. The organization operates complementary programs including Military Connections (veteran and military family services), Vocational Training (workforce skills), Social Emotional Learning, Senior Sensory Experiences, Field Trips, and Corporate Team Building. A sister facility, Field of Dreams Equine Education Center, provides traditional riding lessons and summer camps. A Mobile Minis Program extends services to off-site locations. The organization hosts over 35,000 participant hours annually at its PATH Intl. premier accredited centers in Blacklick, Ohio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapeutic Riding Equine-assisted therapeutic riding program for children and adults with special needs, using trained therapy horses and certified instructors to help participants tackle individual challenges through engaging activities and games.
• Military Connections Equine-assisted learning programs specifically designed for military personnel, veterans, and their families, including Military Kids Camp, Military Family Riding, and training opportunities to serve as side-walkers or handlers.
• Traditional Riding Lessons Riding instruction for individuals wishing to learn English or Western riding, available at Stepping Stone Stables, with lessons tailored to each rider's goals from basic horsemanship to competitive showing.
• Vocational Training Workforce readiness program for young adults with special needs, teaching authentic barn and horse care skills along with social skills necessary for successful employment.
• Social Emotional Learning Equine-assisted learning program using horses' natural ability to read non-verbal cues and provide feedback, guiding participants through introspection and self-awareness exercises.
• Senior Sensory Experiences Sensory program for seniors including those with Alzheimer's, featuring farm visits with horses through grooming, touching, education, and observation activities led by trained staff.
• Field Trips Customized educational or experiential farm visits for groups, including horse care education, handler-led rides, and access to wooded picnic grounds.
• Corporate Team Building Equine-assisted learning sessions for corporate groups and work teams, challenging participants to examine their roles within their organization through collaborative challenges facilitated by instructors.
• Field of Dreams Equine Education Center Traditional horseback riding facility offering riding lessons in hunt seat and western pleasure disciplines, as well as summer camps for ages 7-14. Sister center to Dreams on Horseback, located on the east side of Columbus, Ohio.
• Mobile Minis Program Mobile program bringing horse-partnered learning to schools, care centers, and community locations, designed to expand access to equine-assisted social emotional learning beyond the main facility.
• Summer Camp at Field of Dreams Five-day horse camp experience tailored to student age and interests, with each student assigned their own horse for the week, including riding instruction, art, games, horse handling, and a Friday horse show.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,000+ participant hours of horse-partnered learning annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• KrogerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity Rewards program allows customers to designate Dreams on Horseback as their charity, generating approximately $2,000 annually from a small percentage of grocery purchases.
• Columbus AcademyminorOthersVenue host for Walk, Trot, & Decanter Gala events.
• PATH InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship provides premier accreditation to Dreams on Horseback's centers, indicating highest standards of safety, professionalism, and program quality.
• Bella Vista Equine Veterinary ServicesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEquine veterinary partner providing care for therapy horses.
• Community SharesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization supporting nonprofit partnerships and workplace giving.
• Gahanna Jefferson SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district partner for vocational training and social-emotional learning programs.
• Groveport SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district partner for programming.
• New Albany SchoolsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool district partner for programming.
• Bridgeway AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducation partner for horse-partnered social-emotional and vocational transition programs serving children and teens.
• Autism SpeaksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAutism advocacy organization partner supporting programs for individuals with autism.
• The Ohio State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOSU is conducting a hippotherapy study at Dreams on Horseback examining the effect of hippotherapy and the equine environment on children with cerebral palsy and autism.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship): The industry accreditation body that grants premier accreditation status to Dreams on Horseback's centers; while not a competitor, it is the central standards-setting peer in the same therapeutic horsemanship ecosystem.
• EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association): Professional association and global standard-setting body for equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning; comparable to PATH International as a peer organization shaping the same equine-assisted services field in which Dreams on Horseback operates.

Direct peers

• Sprout Therapeutic Riding and Education: A PATH premier accredited therapeutic riding nonprofit in Virginia serving children and adults with disabilities, offering therapeutic riding, Hippotherapy, equine-assisted learning, and adaptive riding closely paralleling Dreams on Horseback's core services.
• Mane Stream: A PATH Intl. premier accredited nonprofit in New Jersey providing equine-assisted services to individuals with disabilities, veterans, and youth, with vocational and therapeutic riding programming comparable to Dreams on Horseback.
• National Center for Equine-Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT): A California-based nonprofit providing equine-facilitated therapy and hippotherapy for individuals with special needs, with explicit research and therapeutic program emphasis closely aligned with Dreams on Horseback's OSU research partnership and therapy mission.
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Equine Assisted Activities: A 501(c)(3) therapeutic riding and equine-assisted activities organization operating PATH Intl.-accredited centers in Illinois, offering nearly identical programming (therapeutic riding, military programs, life skills, equine-assisted learning) at nonprofit scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@DreamsOnHorseback
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dreams-on-horseback

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 dreams on horseback