Windy Ridge Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center
Hokah, Minnesota
Windy Ridge Ranch Therapeutic Riding Center is a riding program near Hokah in Houston County, Minnesota. According to its website, it offers a recreational therapeutic riding program for individuals with disabilities and special needs, along with seasonal pony club lessons and a summer day camp. It shares its website with Touching Moments, an animal-assisted activities program.
- Therapeutic horseback riding
- Seasonal pony club lessons
- Horse-themed day camp
- Groundwork and horse care
- Animal-assisted visits (Touching Moments)
- Volunteer program
- Individuals with disabilities
- People with special needs
- Beginner riders (pony club)
- Residents of Houston County and nearby communities
More about this center
About the Program
The website says Windy Ridge Ranch was established in 2007, when an American Bashkir Curly horse named Storm joined the Ellingson family. The riding program uses games, activities and horse care, such as grooming, to work on social, physical and emotional skills.
Pony Club and Day Camp
The ranch runs a pony club with seasonal lessons for residents of Houston County and surrounding communities. The site describes basic riding lessons for beginners at three levels, Cow Poke, Bronco Buster and Rough Rider, with lessons that combine classroom time, groundwork and arena riding. According to the site, lessons run in four-week summer sessions held on Mondays or Wednesdays and are supervised by volunteers.
The ranch also lists a one-day, horse-themed summer day camp with games, music, crafts and horseback riding. Campers practice groundwork, such as how to safely approach, halter and lead a horse, and riding basics like mounting, dismounting and steering. A box lunch is provided, and registration and a fee are required.
Volunteering and Visits
Volunteers help with the riding program; an earlier program page described roles as side-walkers, leaders and groomers. Touching Moments, which shares the site, is an animal-assisted activities program founded in 2006 that makes visits in Houston County and nearby communities.
Location
The ranch is at 8526 Union Ridge, Hokah, MN 55941, in rural Houston County in southeastern Minnesota. It serves Houston County and surrounding communities.
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 sign up for riding or day camp?
Contact the center at (507) 884-4365 or windyrr@goacentek.net to ask about openings and registration.
How much do lessons cost?
Call (507) 884-4365 to ask about current rates. For general context, see our guide to equine therapy costs.
Is help with the cost available?
The center offers the Kerrie J. Hauser Memorial Scholarship, and families who need help with the cost can apply by emailing windyrr@goacentek.net.
When do pony club sessions run?
The site lists four-week sessions on Mondays or Wednesdays in June, July and August. Call (507) 884-4365 for current dates.
Location
Hokah, Minnesota 55941
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.