Bit of Hope Ranch
Gastonia, North Carolina
Bit of Hope Ranch is a nonprofit equine therapy center on 50 acres in Gastonia, North Carolina. It offers equine-assisted psychotherapy with licensed counselors, adaptive riding for people with physical or cognitive disabilities, and riding lessons. Its mission is to "Reach, Rescue and Restore hurting children, families and horses through equine assisted therapies."
- Equine-assisted psychotherapy
- Equine-assisted EMDR
- Office-based counseling and nature therapy
- Adaptive riding
- English and Western riding lessons
- Life coaching and retreats
- School field trips and group programs
- Children ages 5 and up
- Teens and adults, including seniors
- People affected by trauma, abuse and neglect
- Riders with physical or cognitive disabilities
- Families
- School and corporate groups
More about this center
Counseling With Horses
According to its website, each equine-assisted psychotherapy session pairs a therapist, an equine professional and a horse. Most sessions take place on the ground, some are mounted, and no horse experience is needed. Individual sessions last 55 minutes, and each client has an individualized treatment plan that tracks progress and program length.
The ranch also offers equine-assisted EMDR, nature therapy such as hikes and fishing, and office sessions using EMDR, Brainspotting, somatic processing and art therapy. The counseling team lists several licensed clinical mental health counselors (LCMHC) and associates. The ranch says it accepts some major insurance plans, and self-pay rates are listed at $90 to $150 per session.
Adaptive Riding and Lessons
The adaptive riding program is designed for clients with physical or cognitive disabilities. Each session includes a PATH Intl. or Herdmanship certified instructor, with volunteers serving as horse leaders and side walkers. A doctor's prescription form is required before starting, and the ranch has a Sure Hands lift for riders with disabilities.
Standard riding lessons in English or Western style are open to riders ages 5 and up, with a 200-pound weight limit. Lessons are held in the two covered arenas and on the trails, and cover grooming, tacking up, groundwork, riding, trail safety and basic horse care. Lessons are listed at $55 for a private one-hour lesson and $50 for a group one-hour lesson.
The Ranch and Staff
The property has two covered arenas, a large grass arena, two barns with climate-controlled spaces, a 900-square-foot wellness clinic, a large pond with a gazebo and three miles of wooded trails. The ranch says it is CHA site accredited.
Meg Vanderbilt is the executive director. Equine staff include Toni Keating, a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and Katy Bretz, a PATH Intl. Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning.
History
The ranch traces its start to 2007, when Meg Vanderbilt set out to help horses and children. After an investor purchased the property, it opened in 2009 and offered four years of free mentoring-based therapy. In 2014 it hired its first licensed therapist and relaunched as a mental health facility that accepts referrals from doctors, therapists and schools.
Location
Bit of Hope Ranch is at 5001 CR Wood Road, Gastonia, NC 28056, on 50 acres of hardwood forest and pasture in Gaston County.
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 start counseling at Bit of Hope Ranch?
Fill out the Counseling Request Form on the ranch's website or call 704-862-0095. Staff will verify insurance benefits and book an intake.
What is needed to join adaptive riding?
A doctor's prescription form must be submitted before sessions begin. Contact the ranch at 704-862-0095 or info@bitofhoperanch.org about scheduling and rates.
What ages does the ranch serve?
The ranch says it sees children as young as 5, as well as teens, adults and senior adults. Riding lessons are for ages 5 and up.
Location
Gastonia, North Carolina 28056
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.