Shining Hope Farms
Mount Holly, North Carolina
Shining Hope Farms is a nonprofit with farms in Mount Holly, Charlotte and Conover, North Carolina. It offers physical, occupational and speech therapy using hippotherapy, adaptive riding lessons, nature-based mental health counseling and a riding program for veterans, serving children and adults with disabilities and veterans.
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy using hippotherapy
- Nature-based mental health counseling
- Individual, family and caregiver counseling sessions
- Adaptive riding group lessons
- Saddles & Salutes veterans riding program
- Children and adults with disabilities
- People with autism
- People with cerebral palsy
- People with Down syndrome
- People with sensory processing, speech or feeding concerns
- Adults recovering from brain injury or stroke
- Veterans
More about this center
About the Program
Therapy sessions are led by a licensed physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech-language pathologist trained in hippotherapy, supported by a horse leader and side walker. Hippotherapy is used as a tool within these therapies, not as a standalone service.
Adaptive riding is offered as recreational group lessons taught by PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors, with horse leaders and side walkers assisting. Each horse is screened for disposition, movement and training.
Mental health counseling is provided by licensed clinicians (LCSW and LCMHC credentials) for anxiety, depression, ADHD, trauma, PTSD, behavioral concerns and emotional regulation. Horses are an optional part of some sessions, with an equine specialist present. The farm says this counseling is not formal equine-assisted psychotherapy.
Veterans Riding
Saddles & Salutes teaches veterans riding and horsemanship through individual goals, group lessons and trail rides at all three farms. Financial assistance is available. Read more about equine therapy for veterans.
History and Accreditation
Paul and Milinda Kirkpatrick founded Shining Hope Farms in 2002 on a foreclosed property in Mount Holly that the family renovated. A Charlotte farm opened in 2010 and a Conover farm in 2017. Patrice Gibson is the executive director.
The organization says its farms in Mecklenburg, Gaston and Catawba counties are PATH Intl. Premier Accredited facilities offering hippotherapy.
Volunteering
Volunteers age 13 and older help in sessions as side walkers or horse leaders, care for the horses and facility, and work at fundraising events. Volunteers must have health insurance and can register to be notified of the next orientation.
Location
The original Mount Holly farm and main office is at 328 Whippoorwill Lane, Mount Holly, NC 28120, with an indoor arena, two outdoor arenas, a sensory trail and clinic space. The other farms are at 3701 Kidd Lane, Charlotte, NC 28216, and 6347 St. Peter's Church Road, Conover, NC 28613.
The service area covers Alexander, Catawba, Gaston, Lincoln and Mecklenburg counties in North Carolina and York County, South Carolina.
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 we get started?
Complete the Prospective Client Questionnaire on the farm's website. A doctor's prescription is required, and the office helps with the paperwork. An initial evaluation sets goals, and progress is reviewed every six months.
Is therapy covered by insurance?
The farm says its therapists are in network with NC Medicaid, SC Medicaid (including managed care plans) and most major insurers, and clients pay co-pays and deductibles at the time of service. It is also an enrolled ESA+ provider for North Carolina families.
What does it cost?
The farm says its programs are free of charge to most participants. Therapy and counseling are billed to insurance, with co-pays and deductibles paid at the time of service. Call (704) 827-3788 to ask about current rates for your situation.
What ages does the farm serve?
Therapy and adaptive riding serve children and adults. Mental health counseling is offered for children 4 and up, teens and adults.
Location
Mount Holly, North Carolina 28120
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.