About the Nonprofit
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Riding Unlimited’s mission has been to turn disabilities into possibilities through the power of the horse. Our therapeutic horsemanship program provides opportunities for independence and accomplishment while improving strength, balance, coordination, memory, communication, and self-esteem. We also offer equine-assisted learning experiences that help participants learn academic and social-emotional skills through engagement with the horses facilitated by one of our state-certified educators on staff. Our participants range in age from 4 to senior adults and have a variety of medical diagnoses such as autism, cerebral palsy, ADHD, traumatic brain injuries, and paralysis as well as those struggling socially or emotionally. We also have programs specific to veterans and first responders.
Our facility in Denton County, Texas is a Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) Premier Accredited Center and our instructors are PATH Intl. certified. Riding Unlimited is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1990 by Jim Barton, an avid horseman with Cerebral Palsy. Our center moved to a 49-acre facility in Ponder, Texas in 1997. We have an enclosed arena, covered stalls and barns with room for expansion for sensory trails. Since our founding, we have served riders with tens of thousands of lessons in which they gained benefit from the horse’s movement and communication while learning horsemanship skills.
In addition to our therapeutic horsemanship program, Riding Unlimited is expanding to include a program specific to veterans and first responders called Operation Warhorse that began August 2023. This population benefits from the emotional connections made with the horses, outdoor activity, socialization with fellow service members, and a sense of accomplishment from learning new skills. Additionally, Riding Unlimited has formed a partnership with University Behavioral Health (UBH) of Denton’s Warrior’s Haven. This residential unit of UBH is dedicated to active military, veterans, and first responders. Patients visit Riding Unlimited weekly for therapeutic horsemanship sessions integrating social-emotional skill building through collaboration with their team of therapists who facilitate the activities in partnership with Riding Unlimited staff.
Additional partnerships include local universities such as Texas Woman's University, Dallas College, and the University of North Texas and local school districts. We provide volunteer opportunities and practicum experiences for students and collaborate in pilot studies and research.
