Two Bear Therapeutic Riding Center
Whitefish, Montana
Two Bear Therapeutic Riding Center is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit about 15 minutes southwest of Whitefish, Montana. It offers adaptive horsemanship lessons, pediatric physical therapy that uses equine movement, summer camps and group ranch visits. It serves people ages 2 to 18 and older with cognitive, physical, social or emotional needs.
- Adaptive horsemanship lessons
- Pediatric physical therapy using equine movement
- Summer camps (ages 6+)
- Ranch Experience group visits (unmounted)
- People with autism, ADD/ADHD or Down syndrome
- People with cerebral palsy, spina bifida, MS or traumatic brain injuries
- People with anxiety, depression or ODD
- People with visual impairment
- School groups, special ed classes and retirement homes
More about this center
About the Program
Adaptive Horsemanship is a recreational program taught by PATH Intl. certified instructors, with riding and groundwork adapted to each rider. Lessons are 45 minutes, either private or in groups of up to three riders of similar ability, and are scheduled in multiple terms throughout the year. The weight limit for riders is 180 lbs. See therapeutic riding.
The pediatric physical therapy program, based in an on-site clinic, serves ages 2 to 21. Services are provided by Leslie Hayden, P.T., a licensed physical therapist with 35 years of pediatric clinical experience and an American Hippotherapy Certification Board (AHCB) Certified Therapist. She may use equine movement as one tool to address mobility, range of motion, balance, coordination and strength. Sessions are 30 to 45 minutes, and a doctor's prescription for PT evaluation and treatment is required. See our guide to hippotherapy.
Summer camps for kids 6 and up run Monday to Thursday, 9:30am to 1:30pm, with up to eight campers. The Ranch Experience is a two-hour, unmounted visit for groups of up to ten, led by Anna Seagull, a PATH Intl. certified instructor.
The Horses and Staff
According to the Whitefish Pilot, the herd numbers 19 horses. The center's website says they range from retired show horses to trail and working ranch horses, and that they live outside year-round.
Staff include Executive Director Cammi Sullivan, Program Director Jackie Ruffley and lead instructor Sally Conrad. The center describes itself as a registered PATH Intl. Member Center and says it works with all members of a participant's treatment team.
Getting Started
Families schedule a free Meet & Greet to tour the ranch, then complete intake and medical forms, including a physician's statement, and book an assessment that includes a short riding session. Riders then choose lesson times and contact the center to register.
The center offers a one-hour orientation for volunteers.
Location
The center is at 1700 K M Ranch Road, Whitefish, MT 59937, about 15 minutes southwest of town on Two Bear River Ranch. It has an 80' x 100' heated indoor arena, a 150' x 250' outdoor arena and riding trails across 600 acres. Viewing windows in the barn and clinical space overlook the indoor arena.
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.
What does it cost?
The website lists adaptive horsemanship lessons at $45 each, due in full at the start of the lesson term, and the rider assessment and initial PT evaluation at $45 each. Summer camp is $425 per camp session, and a Ranch Experience is $200 for up to four people plus $50 per additional person. Scholarships are available, and the center says most insurance companies cover pediatric PT sessions.
What ages does Two Bear serve?
Adaptive horsemanship serves ages 4 to 18 and older, physical therapy serves ages 2 to 21, and summer camps are for ages 6 and up.
How do I contact the center?
Email info@twobeartrc.org.
Location
Whitefish, Montana 59937
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.