About the Nonprofit
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The mission of Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program is to provide equine assisted activities and/or therapy to children and adults with physical, cognitive, or psychological disabilities in eastern North Carolina. Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding Program is a not-for-profit organization founded by Eileen Van Houten in 1991 that provides equine assisted activities and equine assisted therapy to children ages 4 years old and up and adults with a variety of physical, cognitive, and psychological disabilities. Students who participate in the program come from Pitt County as well as 13 surrounding counties in eastern North Carolina.
The ultimate goal of the program is to improve each rider's quality of life so that they can become more independent, productive and active members of the community. We are a member organization of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl). Lessons are scheduled on weekdays from September to May and there is a limited summer program as well. Riders age 4 and up may self-refer to the program; medical authorization and an evaluation by our staff are required as part of the application process. Program components that are offered include therapeutic riding (individual or group lessons) and ground school, as well as group lessons focusing on equine facilitated mental health and learning, and interactive vaulting. Rocking Horse Ranch currently has the only active PATH Intl interactive vaulting program in the state of North Carolina. Included in groundwork modules are our Healing with Horses group for breast cancer survivors, and an Equine Services for Heroes group for veterans who need help re-integrating into their communities.
