Marion Therapeutic Riding Association

What Marion Therapeutic Riding Association does

Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, Inc. (MTRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and PATH Premiere Accredited Center founded in 1985 and headquartered on leased Cross Florida Greenway land at 6850 SE 41st Court, Ocala, Florida. The organization delivers therapeutic horseback riding, hippotherapy, Equine Assisted Learning Activities, and a portfolio of specialized programs — including the Multiple Sclerosis Riders program, Freedom Reins @ MTRA, and seasonal summer camps (Camp Caballo, Camp Dreamcatcher, Christmas Camp Dreamcatcher) — to children and adults with physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges across Marion County and surrounding Florida counties. Operations rely on a herd of approximately 11+ program horses matched to rider needs, and every instructor is a PATH-credentialed CTRI; the facility itself was originally capitalized by a Community Block Grant from Marion County.

MTRA's business model is donation-and-grant-driven rather than commercial. Program fees and approved-provider billings through select health insurance companies cover only a fraction of operating costs, with the remainder subsidized through individual donations, peer-to-peer campaigns, third-party giving programs (iGoive, Amazon Smile, eBay Giving, Omaha Steaks partnership), grants (Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Florida Support Autism Programs Specialty License Plate Fund, Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County), and recurring fundraising events including the annual MTRA Golf Tournament, Fall Festival, Holiday Market, and 5K runs. Some programs are offered at no cost to eligible participants. Customer segments are vertically segmented by condition (children/adults with disabilities, MS patients, veterans and at-risk youth, autistic riders), with client acquisition driven by referrals from healthcare providers, insurance companies, schools (notably Hillcrest School), and word-of-mouth within the Marion County community, supported by a presence across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube (@mtraocala).

The competitive position rests on the PATH Premiere accreditation, four decades of operating history in the "Horse Capital of the World," documented rider outcomes (autistic children speaking for the first time, stroke victims regaining mobility, MS patients reducing muscle rigidity), and a deep local ecosystem of corporate sponsors (Seminole Feed, Ocala Equine Hospital, AdventHealth, Wells Fargo) and Secretariat-tier donors. MTRA operates with a small staff (1–10 employees), is governed by an independent Board of Directors with no parent entity, and has no funding rounds, M&A activity, or disclosed revenue figures on record.

Name

Marion Therapeutic Riding Association

Legal name

Marion Therapeutic Riding Association, Inc.

Website

https://mtraocala.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Marion Therapeutic Riding Association is a 501(c)(3) PATH Premiere Accredited Center in Ocala, Florida, providing therapeutic horseback riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted learning activities to children and adults with physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges across Marion and surrounding counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Equestrian Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134)

SIC

Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive & Special Needs Personal Training (HSADAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Outpatient Occupational Therapy (OT) Clinics (HLADAJAE)

Keywords

• Therapeutic horseback riding
• Equine assisted therapy
• Hippotherapy services
• Adaptive riding programs
• Disability therapy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ocala

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, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: MTRA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies primarily on donations, grants, and fundraising to sustain operations. Income from programs covers only a fraction of actual costs. The organization receives support through annual drives, peer-to-peer campaigns, and grant funding from organizations such as the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and Florida Support Autism Programs Specialty License Plate Fund.
2. Therapeutic Riding Program Fees: Revenue from therapeutic horseback riding and Equine Assisted Learning Activities sessions. The organization is an approved provider through select health insurance companies and offers programs at no cost for eligible participants.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual events including golf tournaments, holiday markets, fall festivals, dinner dances, and 5K runs generate revenue and community engagement.
4. Third-Party Giving Programs: Income from iGive, Amazon Smile, eBay Giving, and gift shop sales. Also receives donations through shopping programs like Omaha Steaks partnership where 10% of purchases go to MTRA.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Marion Therapeutic Riding Association provides therapeutic horseback riding, hippotherapy, and Equine Assisted Learning Activities for individuals of all ages with physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges. Services are delivered by PATH-certified instructors (CTRI) at a PATH Premiere Accredited facility in Ocala, Florida, and include specialized programs for Multiple Sclerosis patients and adaptive riders.

Product overview

Marion Therapeutic Riding Association (MTRA) is a PATH Premiere Accredited Center offering therapeutic horseback riding and Equine Assisted Learning Activities. The core offerings include therapeutic riding sessions, hippotherapy, and specialized programs for Multiple Sclerosis riders and the Freedom Reins program. Supporting programs include summer camps (Camp Caballo, Camp Dreamcatcher, Christmas Camp Dreamcatcher), annual golf tournament fundraisers, horse retirement care, and volunteer opportunities. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) non-profit serving individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges in Marion County, Florida.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapeutic Horseback Riding Equine-assisted therapeutic riding sessions delivered by Credentialed Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRI) for individuals with physical, emotional, and cognitive challenges.
• Equine Assisted Learning Activities Structured learning activities using the horse-human connection to foster growth, healing, and skill development for individuals with physical, emotional, or cognitive challenges.
• Hippotherapy Physical, occupational, or speech therapy using horse movement as part of the treatment strategy for individuals with physical, cognitive, or communication challenges.
• Equine Experience Equine-assisted experience program for riders seeking therapeutic benefits through interaction with horses.
• Freedom Reins @ MTRA Program Specialized therapeutic riding program for individuals with disabilities, providing adaptive horseback riding experiences tailored to their needs.
• Multiple Sclerosis Riders Program Specialized therapeutic riding program designed specifically for individuals with Multiple Sclerosis, offering tailored sessions to address MS-related muscle rigidity, inflexibility, and mobility challenges.
• Camp Caballo Summer horsemanship camp held 9:00 am to noon daily for campers ages 7-14, teaching horsemanship, grooming skills, and daily riding.
• Camp Dreamcatcher Summer horsemanship camp for horse-loving kids ages 7-14 held 9:00 am to noon daily, teaching horsemanship, grooming, horse care, and daily riding.
• Christmas Camp Dreamcatcher One-day intensive training camp held December 29th from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm for ages 8-17, teaching horsemanship skills, horse care, grooming, groundwork, and riding.

Quantifiable outcome

• Autistic children speaking for the first time
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• AdventHealthminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare partner sponsor providing support for MTRA's therapeutic programs. AdventHealth Ocala is a regional healthcare provider serving Marion County.
• Seminole FeedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor feed supplier sponsor providing ongoing support to keep MTRA's herd healthy and fit for riding. Long-term in-kind donor relationship.
• Ocala Equine HospitalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEquine veterinary services sponsor providing veterinary care support for MTRA therapy horses.
• Brookledge Horse TransportationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHorse transportation sponsor providing transport services for MTRA program horses.
• Farm Credit ServicesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgricultural financial services sponsor supporting MTRA operations and programs.
• Masterworks Creative LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreative services sponsor (Tami & Marv Johnson, Silver Springs, FL) providing marketing and creative support.
• Ocala Horse AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMTRA is a member of the Ocala Horse Alliance, a community organization supporting equestrian initiatives in the Horse Capital of the World.
• Community Emergency Partners (CEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMTRA is a member of Community Emergency Partners, collaborating on community resilience initiatives.
• Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion CountycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMTRA participates in Give4Marion day of giving and receives grant support through the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County.
• Cross Florida GreenwaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMTRA has been hosted on land leased from the Cross Florida Greenway for over 30 years. Facility was initially established with a Community Block Grant from Marion County.
• Pilot Club of OcalaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMan O'War level sponsor hosting the 'Good Deeds 4 Special Needs' 5K Run Walk benefiting MTRA.
• PATH InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMTRA is a PATH Premiere Accredited Center. PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International sets standards for therapeutic riding programs and provides instructor certification (CTRI).

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Direct peers

• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic horsemanship center in Rockton, Illinois serving veterans, children, and adults with disabilities. Comparable in certification, target populations, and nonprofit funding model.
• Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center: PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center in Augusta, Michigan serving individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted activities. Directly comparable in mission, accreditation tier, and program structure to MTRA.
• Mane Stream: PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center in Gladstone, New Jersey offering equine-assisted services to individuals with special needs. Directly comparable accredited therapeutic riding nonprofit.
• Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center: PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center in Loveland, Colorado providing equine-assisted services to people with disabilities. Closely comparable nonprofit model, certification, and program mix to MTRA.
• High Hopes Therapeutic Riding: PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding organization in New Preston, Connecticut serving individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted activities. Closely comparable accredited nonprofit peer.
• Green Chimneys: Brewster, New York-based nonprofit that includes a PATH-accredited therapeutic riding program within a broader special-needs services campus. Overlapping therapeutic riding offering and similar special-needs population.
• HorseAbility: PATH-accredited therapeutic horsemanship organization on Long Island, New York serving individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted programs. Comparable in accreditation, mission, and service mix.
• Equi-Librium: PATH Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center in Center Valley, Pennsylvania providing equine-assisted activities to individuals with special needs. Directly comparable accredited peer.
• Exceptional Equestrians: Therapeutic riding center in De Pere, Wisconsin serving individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted therapy. Comparable in mission, target population, and nonprofit operating model.

Others

• Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International: The industry body that sets standards and grants the PATH Premiere accreditation held by MTRA; not a peer operator but the umbrella ecosystem and credentialing authority that defines MTRA's category.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MTRAOcala
• Facebookfacebook.com/MTRAocala
• Instagraminstagram.com/mtraocala
• TikToktiktok.com/@mtraocala
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marion-therapeutic-riding-association

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Marion Therapeutic Riding Association