Hope River Farm
Fairfield, Connecticut
Hope River Farm is a horse farm in the Greenfield Hill section of Fairfield, Connecticut, run by The Pilot House Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It lists therapeutic riding, an unmounted Equine Hands on Program and a Life Skills at the Farm program alongside standard riding lessons for all ages and abilities.
- Therapeutic riding (30-minute lessons)
- Therapeutic riding with grooming and tacking (45 minutes)
- Equine Hands on Program (unmounted, 45 minutes)
- Life Skills at the Farm vocational program
- Private riding lessons
- After-school program and summer camp
- Riders of all ages and abilities
- People with autism
- People with ADD, anxiety or depression
- People with cerebral palsy or traumatic brain injury
- People living with dementia
- People dealing with grief or eating disorders
- Young adults and adults with special needs
More about this center
About the Program
According to its website, Hope River Farm is "dedicated to enriching lives through the power of horses." Its therapeutic riding lessons teach riding skills such as mounting and dismounting, steering, transitions, posting and ring figures. A longer option has participants groom, tack and lead their horse before the lesson.
The Equine Hands on Program involves no riding. Participants care for a horse on the ground and learn about anatomy, grooming, basic first aid, feeding and leading. Life Skills at the Farm is a hands-on work program for young adults and adults with autism and other special needs, covering gardening, selling produce, animal care and farm maintenance.
The Farm
The farm says its programs run year-round, using an indoor arena, an outdoor arena, trails and a community building. It notes that it is not a competition facility and does not teach jumping. The website does not list instructor credentials or PATH Intl. certification, so families may want to ask about staff training when they call.
Location
Hope River Farm is at 1230 Merwins Lane, Fairfield, CT 06824, in the Greenfield Hill section of Fairfield.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do I register for a therapeutic program?
The program pages say to email info@thepilothouse.org or call 203-610-3877. Registration forms, including one dated 2026, are linked from the therapeutic riding page.
How much do lessons cost?
Call 203-610-3877 to ask about current rates.
Do participants have to ride?
No. The Equine Hands on Program is unmounted, and participants work with a horse on the ground.
Is Hope River Farm a nonprofit?
Yes. The farm's website says The Pilot House Foundation, which runs it, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and IRS records list it as tax-exempt since 2007.
Location
Fairfield, Connecticut 06824
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.