Horses for Healing Therapeutic Riding Center
Newcastle, California
Horses for Healing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Newcastle, California that has offered therapeutic riding since 1997. It serves children and adults with special needs and draws riders from Placer, Nevada and Sacramento counties.
- Therapeutic horseback riding
- Weekly lessons in six-week sessions
- Trial rides
- Assessment ride with written report (for Alta funding)
- Children with special needs
- Adults with special needs
- People with physical disabilities
- People with cognitive or emotional challenges
- Veterans
More about this center
About the Program
Horses for Healing was started in 1997 by friends Norma Harris and Judy Gerhard to help Norma's sister, who had multiple sclerosis, according to the organization's Big Day of Giving profile. Its website says it is a volunteer-run organization.
Riders come once a week. The center lists riding on Tuesday afternoons (1:00 to 5:00 PM, or until 4:30 PM from November to February) and Friday mornings (9:00 AM to 12:00 PM). Sessions usually run six weeks with a one-week break between them, plus a two-week summer break in July and a four-week winter break over December and January.
Marcy Schaffer-Egot is the center's PATH Intl. certified instructor, according to its website, and a 2023 CBS Sacramento report described her as program director. The website does not list center accreditation.
Getting Started
To apply, you and your doctor complete the application and release forms posted on the website and mail them to PO Box 4839, Auburn, CA 95604. An instructor reviews the forms and follows up about availability, then assigns a horse and a weekly riding time when a spot opens.
The website lists lessons at $60 each, or $360 for a six-week session. New riders can take up to two trial rides at $60 each. If an assessment is required for Alta funding, the instructor schedules a separate evaluation, and the assessment ride with written report is listed at $160. For more on budgeting, see our guide to equine therapy costs.
Volunteering
Volunteers age 14 and older are welcome. The center asks volunteers to commit to a consistent 1 to 4 hour slot each week for at least one six-week session. Call (530) 887-9573 or email info@horsesforhealing.org to sign up.
Location
The riding center is at 1255 Monument Place, Newcastle, CA 95658, in Placer County. Its Big Day of Giving profile lists Auburn and Roseville among its service areas.
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 website says there is currently a waitlist for both Tuesday afternoon and Friday morning riding times. Families can still visit to observe a lesson.
How much do lessons cost?
As listed, lessons are $60 each, or $360 for a six-week session, and trial rides are $60 each. The assessment ride with written report is $160.
Who can ride?
The program serves children and adults with special needs, and its website mentions conditions such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, autism and ADHD. Veterans are welcome as riders or volunteers. Age and weight limits are not published, so call (530) 887-9573 to ask.
Location
Newcastle, California 95658
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.