Therapeutic Riding is teaching students horseback riding while benefiting their daily lives at the same time.  The benefits of this unique form of therapy can be just as diverse as the students themselves. Individuals can learn proper sequencing, muscle control, multi-tasking, focus, coordination and patience all through riding. Students attain these skills through activities such as grooming, mounting, dismounting, trail patterns, engaging their core muscles while on horseback, remembering to keep their heels down while steering, maintaining balance while on the horse, and when things don’t go as planned to take a deep breath and “walk on”. This short list is by no means complete. As each new rider comes and displays new challenges the therapy is personalized to meet their needs.

At Horsefeathers, a professional staff and volunteers work closely with riders to ensure safe riding sessions.  All new riders are assisted by two side walkers who walk along side the horse, as well as a horse leader.  Riding classes are taught by an instructor who has a strong equine background, as well as an understanding of various disabilities

We at Horsefeathers Therapeutic Equestrian Center, echo the sentiments of Dr. Spiers. In January, 2015, we expanded our services to include a Horses for Heroes program.

“Appreciating the power of the horse to change lives is our goal, and Horsfeathers wants to provide positive change for these very special lives. Our service personnel have fought to preserve our freedom, and, for many, at a very dear cost. We must be certain that if our wounded service personnel and veterans need and want this kind of help, they will get the best Horsefeathers has to offer.”

We are honored and proud to give back to those who gave so much. Veterans and their families of Northeast Texas, active duty, reservists, and Military service organizations are encouraged to contact us at via phone, Facebook, or email so we are prepared to meet your needs.

Our volunteers are the backbone of Horsefeathers. They are needed to help groom and tack horses, lead the horse in class and aid the rider with balance and stability. They are an integral part of Horsefeathers’ success. Besides helping with classes, there are other duties volunteers can help with such as cleaning tack, fixing fence, cleaning the building, cleaning feed and water buckets, mucking out stalls and the arenas, or office work.  Plus once someone has volunteered 40 hours, they then qualify for 8 weeks of free riding lessons for themselves.  This is one way we can say thank you for being so faithful and committed to volunteering with Horsefeathers.