Blue Mountain Therapeutic Riding
Walla Walla, Washington
Blue Mountain Therapeutic Riding is a nonprofit in Walla Walla, Washington, serving Walla Walla, Milton-Freewater, Oregon, and surrounding areas. It offers adaptive therapeutic riding for children and adults, equine-assisted psychotherapy for young people, an inclusive summer camp and a reading program with miniature horses. Mary and Ronald Murphy founded it in 2013.
- Adaptive/therapeutic riding lessons
- Unmounted horsemanship and horse care lessons
- Equine-assisted psychotherapy (Healing with Horses)
- All-abilities summer horsemanship camp
- Reading with Buttons & Coco literacy program
- Volunteer and internship opportunities
- Children ages 4 and up
- Adults
- People with physical disabilities
- People with cognitive disabilities
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Children and teens with mental health needs
- Schools and community groups
More about this center
About the Program
Adaptive riding runs in six-week spring, summer and fall sessions on Monday through Thursday evenings. Riders take a weekly 30-minute group lesson with up to four riders in the arena, supported by horse leaders and side walkers. Lessons cover mounting, warm-up, a new riding skill, games to practice it, and a cool-down. In bad weather, lessons move indoors as unmounted horsemanship classes rather than being canceled.
The center lists riders with autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, anxiety, depression and ADHD, among others. Riders must be 4 or older, and there is a 200-pound weight limit. Tuition is $150 per six-week session, as listed, and scholarships are available.
Healing with Horses is equine-assisted psychotherapy for children and adolescents, run with Anchor Point Counseling. A licensed mental health therapist leads each individual session alongside a PATH Intl.-certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. No horse experience is needed.
Camp and Reading Program
The All-Abilities Inclusive Summer Horsemanship Camp offers three-day camps by age group (4 to 6, 7 to 10 and 11 to 14) and one-day Friday camps for ages 4 to 14, each limited to nine campers. Listed prices are $250 for a three-day camp and $85 for a one-day camp. Camp fees are not covered by scholarships.
Reading with Buttons & Coco takes the center's two miniature horses to schools, community events and festivals in the Walla Walla Valley. Children hear a friendship story by local author Troy Peternell that features Buttons and Coco, then meet the horses.
The Horses and Staff
Mary Murphy, CTRI, is co-founder and executive director, and all riding lessons are taught by PATH Intl.-certified instructors. The herd includes a Tennessee Walker, a Norwegian Fjord, a Haflinger, an Appaloosa and several miniature horses. Riders can ask for a favorite horse when scheduling.
Location
The center is at 1150 Valley Street in Walla Walla, Washington. The site has a lighted outdoor arena with a mounting ramp, fenced pastures and horse shelters, a tack shed with hitching posts, a heated and air-conditioned classroom building, and an ADA-accessible portable toilet with a handwashing station. Visitors should park on the grass to the left, near the orchard and shop.
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 adaptive riding?
Complete the online New Participant Application and the Medical History & Physician's Statement form on the center's website, then call Mary at (509) 540-6244 to schedule a farm visit. Space is limited, so the center suggests applying early to get on the waitlist.
What does adaptive riding cost?
The center lists tuition of $150 for a six-week session of 30-minute lessons. Scholarships are available, and families who need help with the cost can apply through the website.
How do I join Healing with Horses?
Contact Anchor Point Counseling, the center's counseling partner, to learn about the program and get started.
Location
Walla Walla, Washington 99362
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.