Location: San Marcos, California, United States
The Harriet E. Pfleger Therapeutic Equestrian Center is part of the TERI Campus of Life in San Marcos, California, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The equestrian program provides therapy-based riding and horse-assisted activities designed to support physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral development through structured interaction with horses.
Opened in 2015, the center is integrated into a broader campus that combines education, arts, vocational training, and therapeutic services. The equestrian program plays a key role in this holistic model, offering participants meaningful opportunities for growth, independence, and confidence-building through horse-centered experiences.
About This Program
The Harriet E. Pfleger Therapeutic Equestrian Center offers therapy-based riding lessons and equine-assisted activities tailored to individuals with developmental and behavioral challenges. The program incorporates each participant’s unique needs, including adaptive behavioral support plans, into structured sessions.
Participants engage in both mounted and unmounted activities, including groundwork, grooming, and interaction with full-sized horses and miniature horses. The program is designed to improve physical strength, coordination, flexibility, and emotional regulation while also fostering confidence, patience, and responsibility.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic horseback riding
- Equine-assisted activities
- Ground-based horsemanship and horse interaction
- Adaptive riding with individualized support plans
- Behavioral-support-integrated equine sessions
- Interaction with both full-sized and miniature therapy horses
- Volunteer-supported therapeutic programs
Who They Serve
Harriet E. Pfleger Therapeutic Equestrian Center may be good for:
- Children
- Teens
- Adults
- Individuals with developmental disabilities
- Individuals with autism spectrum disorder
- Individuals with behavioral challenges
- Individuals with cognitive or learning differences
- Participants who benefit from structured, supportive therapeutic environments
Facility and Setting
The center is located within the TERI Campus of Life in San Marcos, California, a multi-acre campus designed to integrate therapeutic, educational, and community-based services. The equestrian facilities include dedicated areas for riding, horse care, and structured interaction with therapy animals.
The setting is intentionally designed to be inclusive and immersive, allowing participants to engage not only in equine therapy but also in a broader community environment that includes arts, vocational training, and social development opportunities.
What Makes Them Unique
The Harriet E. Pfleger Therapeutic Equestrian Center stands out for its integration within a comprehensive therapeutic campus model. Rather than operating as a standalone riding center, it is part of a larger ecosystem that supports individuals with developmental disabilities across multiple areas of life.
Another key strength is its inclusive approach to participants with behavioral challenges. The program adapts sessions to each individual’s needs, making equine-assisted therapy accessible to those who may not thrive in traditional riding environments.