Helen Woodward Animal Center Therapeutic Riding
Rancho Santa Fe, California
Helen Woodward Animal Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Rancho Santa Fe, California, and its Therapeutic Riding Program was founded in 1983. The program offers weekly, year-round therapeutic riding lessons for children and adults with special needs, ages 4 and up.
- Weekly therapeutic riding lessons
- Year-round lesson schedule
- Individualized lesson plans with short- and long-term goals
- Horse grooming and care skills
- Annual Therapeutic Riding Show
- Children and adults with special needs
- Riders ages 4 and up
- People with cerebral palsy
- People with Down syndrome
- Autistic children and adults
- Stroke survivors
- People with learning disabilities
More about this center
About the Program
According to the center's website, lessons use specially trained horses and work toward physical, cognitive, social-emotional and motor skill goals. Each rider's lesson plan is built from input from parents, physicians, physical therapists and special education teachers.
The website says staff are PATH certified. Center press materials describe certified instructors and specially trained horses, and riders also learn grooming and horse care. Students show their skills at the center's annual Therapeutic Riding Show, held in May 2025. The center does not list hippotherapy among its offerings.
Getting Started
The center's website says the program is back to full capacity with a lengthy waiting list. Families interested in lessons can contact the Therapeutic Riding office at (858) 756-4117 ext. 321 to ask about the waitlist and intake steps.
Call the office for current costs, and see our guide to equine therapy costs for typical ranges.
Location
The program is based at Helen Woodward Animal Center, 6523 Helen Woodward Way, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067, in San Diego County. The website lists barn hours of Tuesday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is closed Mondays. Staff are often at the barn in the morning, with lessons in the afternoon.
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.
Is there a waitlist?
Yes. The center's website says the program is back to full capacity with a lengthy waiting list. Call (858) 756-4117 ext. 321 to ask about joining it.
What ages does the program accept?
The website says students are ages 4 and up, and the program serves both children and adults with special needs.
How much do lessons cost?
Contact the Therapeutic Riding office at (858) 756-4117 ext. 321 for current pricing.
When are lessons held?
Lessons are weekly and run year-round. The barn is open Tuesday through Sunday, and the website says lessons are usually held in the afternoon.
Location
Rancho Santa Fe, California 92067
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.