Horses With HEART

About the Program

Therapeutic riding lessons are for riders with disabilities ages 4 to 80+. They run as group lessons led by certified instructors, in four 5-week sessions a year, Monday through Saturday between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

The Veterans & First Responders Program serves veterans, military service members and first responders ages 18 to 80+, with five 5-week sessions a year of group lessons. It is offered at minimal cost. See our guide to equine therapy for veterans.

Silver Saddle is a recreational class for able-bodied adults 55 and older who can groom and tack their own horse, mount and dismount unassisted, and ride independently. It runs in five 5-week sessions during the riding season, and lessons last about 1.5 hours and teach horsemanship and basic riding skills. The Competition Team, for participants who want to compete or learn about competition, meets on Saturdays during two seasons a year. The Marvelous Minis bring miniature horses to schools, senior living communities and community events, and groups can also visit the ranch on field trips.

The Horses and Staff

Anne Spiess is the executive director. Instructors include Sherry Hoover, a certified therapeutic riding instructor and PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning (ESMHL); Marcia Gagnon, a certified therapeutic riding instructor who is also the barn manager; and Trudy Chapman-Radley, a certified instructor and board member. Aireal Dallam coordinates programs, and Debbie Hutchens coordinates volunteers.

Volunteers do not need any horse experience, and the center holds volunteer orientations. Volunteers ages 8 to 13 must be supervised, and teens 14 to 18 can serve as mentor volunteers.

History

Vickie Stuart founded the program in 1993 with one donated horse at a ranch in Chino Valley. Trudy Chapman-Radley reorganized it in 1996 and became its first executive director. After several moves around Dewey and Chino, the organization bought its Chino Valley property in 2010, the same year it launched its veterans program and Silver Saddle, and moved into its headquarters on Highway 89 in 2012.

Location

Horses With HEART is at 2705 South Hwy. 89, Chino Valley, AZ 86323, on the east side of State Highway 89 south of the roundabout at Outer Loop Road. The center recommends searching "Horses with Heart" in Apple or Google Maps, since the street address may not lead to the right spot. The mailing address is PO Box 2427, Chino Valley, AZ 86323.