Seabiscuit Therapeutic Riding Center
Willits, California
Seabiscuit Therapeutic Riding Center (STRC) is a nonprofit adaptive horsemanship program at Ridgewood Ranch in Willits, California. It teaches riding and horsemanship to children and adults with disabilities, and a 2025 community event listing says it serves residents of Mendocino and Lake Counties.
- Adaptive horsemanship (therapeutic riding) lessons
- Lessons taught under the direction of a PATH Intl. certified instructor
- Hippotherapy with a licensed hippotherapist (currently on hold)
- Volunteer program with training sessions
- Children with disabilities
- Adults with disabilities
- People with cerebral palsy or Down syndrome
- Autistic individuals
- People who use mobility devices
- People with PTSD
- People with communication differences
More about this center
About the Program
According to its website, the STRC adaptive riding program teaches the skill of riding to individuals with disabilities. Its homepage describes the goal as helping children and adults with disabilities thrive in their daily lives. The center says all lessons are taught under the direction of a certified PATH Intl. instructor. Its team page lists founder and Director of Programming Erin Holzhauer as a PATH certified instructor.
The site says it previously offered hippotherapy with a licensed hippotherapist through a partnership with Adventist Health Physical Therapy, but that this program is currently on hold. Families interested in therapeutic riding should ask the center about current openings.
History
The center says it began in 1993 as Mendocino County 4-H T.R.A.I.L., started by three young 4-H members, including Erin (Livingston) Holzhauer, with help from their families and 4-H leader Jerry Caldwell. It later became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Ridgewood T.R.A.I.L. Riders Association, expanded to serve adults, and took the name Seabiscuit Therapeutic Riding Center in 2016. Ridgewood Ranch is the historic retirement home of the racehorse Seabiscuit.
Volunteering
Volunteers care for the animals, maintain the facility, and assist students, according to the website. To start, email a Volunteer Application to volunteers@seabiscuitridingcenter.org; the site says training dates are posted on its Events page.
Location
The center is at 16200 N. Hwy 101, Willits, CA 95490, on Ridgewood Ranch at the corner of Maple Lane and Orchard Lane. Mail goes to P.O. Box 405, Redwood Valley, CA 95470.
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?
Submit the Enrollment Application to info@seabiscuitridingcenter.org, and the director will contact you about next steps. A Physician Release signed by a licensed physician is required before starting and every year after.
How much do lessons cost?
Call (707) 391-3873 to ask about current rates. The center says Redwood Coast Regional Center clients can request that the service be added to their Individualized Program Plan so RCRC covers the cost. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
Is hippotherapy available?
Not at the moment. The website says its hippotherapy program is on hold and it hopes to restart in the future.
Location
Willits, California 95490
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.