Heaven’s Gait Therapeutic Riding
Woodstock, Georgia
Heaven's Gait Therapeutic Riding is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based at Alpha Equestrian Center in Woodstock, Georgia. It offers therapeutic riding for children and adults with special needs. Its website says its goal is to provide emotional, physical and social benefits to riders.
- Therapeutic riding
- Intake assessment and goal setting
- Volunteer program
- Children with special needs
- Adults with special needs
- People with cerebral palsy
- People with Down syndrome
- People with autism or Asperger syndrome
- People with developmental delay
More about this center
About the Program
According to its website, Heaven's Gait is a Premier PATH Accredited Center. Riders include children and adults with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, Asperger syndrome, autism, developmental delay and other therapeutic needs.
A 2018 local article describes an intake process that reviews each rider's health history, physical function and psycho-social function before goals are set. The same article said the center took a team to the Georgia Special Olympics each year and that donations funded scholarships and the care of its therapy horses.
The Horses and Staff
The program operates at Alpha Equestrian Center, which its website describes as a full-service horse boarding facility with an 88' x 160' covered arena, pastures and nature trails. Kelly Rickard is listed as executive director in the nonprofit's 2021 to 2024 IRS filings. The 2018 article described her as a PATH Intl. certified therapeutic riding instructor who had taught therapeutic riding since 2009.
Volunteering
Volunteer roles listed in the 2018 article include sidewalking, leading horses, grooming, barn help, fundraising and administration. Contact the center to ask about current volunteer needs and training.
Location
Heaven's Gait Therapeutic Riding is located at Alpha Equestrian Center, 2471 E Cherokee Dr, Woodstock, GA 30188, in Cherokee County north of Atlanta.
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 enroll a rider?
Call (770) 656-5764 or email krickard@hgtrinc.com to ask about openings. A 2018 article said new riders go through an intake that reviews health history and physical and psycho-social function before goals are set.
How much do lessons cost?
Call (770) 656-5764 to ask about current rates and whether scholarships are available. See our guide to equine therapy costs for general context.
Who can ride at Heaven's Gait?
The center serves children and adults with special needs, including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism and developmental delay. No age range is published.
Does Heaven's Gait offer hippotherapy?
The sources reviewed describe therapeutic riding only and do not mention hippotherapy. Ask the center directly if you are looking for therapy led by a licensed PT, OT or SLP.
Location
Woodstock, Georgia 30188
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.