Horseplay Therapeutic Riding Center
Dixon, California
Horseplay Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that runs a year-round recreational therapeutic riding program in Dixon, California. It serves children and adults with special needs and lists Contra Costa, Sacramento, Solano and Yolo counties as its service area.
- Recreational therapeutic horseback riding
- 45-minute riding sessions, weekly or every other week
- Year-round program
- Volunteer program
- Children (age 4 and up) and adults with special needs
- People with cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy
- People with multiple sclerosis
- People with Down syndrome
- Autistic children and adults
- People with brain injury or head trauma
- People with visual or hearing impairments
- People with mental or learning disorders
More about this center
About the Program
Horseplay says its riding program helps riders build strength, balance and self-esteem. The center lists itself as an active member of PATH Intl. Its website does not claim PATH Intl. center accreditation.
Riders must be at least 4 years old and weigh no more than 200 lbs. Acceptance depends on the availability of instructors, volunteers and suitable horses, and on whether Horseplay can safely accommodate the rider.
History
According to its website, RuthAnn Davis founded Horseplay in Vacaville in 1995. She turned to riding after an auto accident and a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and she was certified as an instructor through NARHA, now PATH Intl. She started with three horses and volunteers from her church.
Davis retired in 2000, and the board and staff continued the program. In January 2007 Horseplay moved to a ranch in Dixon.
Volunteering
Horseplay relies on volunteers and has an online sign-up form. The center says tuition covers only about one-third of its costs, with private donations covering the rest.
Location
Horseplay is at 5949 Silveyville Road in Dixon, California, on property it shares with Whispering Winds Ranch & Sanctuary. Its directions page says to use the Dixon Ave./West A St. exit from I-80. Send mail to P.O. Box 506, Vacaville, CA 95696, not the ranch.
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?
Horseplay asks families to call 707-447-8733 before anything else. After that, you complete the Rider Enrollment Packet, with a medical history form filled out by the rider's physician, and mail it with the registration fee to the P.O. box in Vacaville.
How much does it cost?
As listed on its enrollment page, tuition is $60 per 45-minute session and the registration fee is $60, billed monthly in advance. The site also posts a tuition increase notice effective January 1, 2025, so current rates may be higher; call 707-447-8733 to confirm. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
When are sessions held?
The center's sessions page lists rides on Tuesday mornings and Saturday mornings. It asks families to call 707-447-8733 for the most up-to-date schedule.
Location
Dixon, California 95620
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.