San Diego Therapeutic Horsemanship
San Diego, California
San Diego Therapeutic Horsemanship (SDTH) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based at Driftwood Ranch in southern San Diego. Its website lists therapeutic riding and groundwork for children and adults with cognitive, physical, psychological or social diagnoses, plus a program for wounded service members. It describes itself as a PATH International Premier Accredited Center.
- Therapeutic horsemanship riding lessons
- Groundwork sessions
- Grooming and horse care instruction
- Freedom Reigns program for wounded service members
- Youth trauma program (no cost, per website)
- Individual evaluations and plans by credentialed instructors
- Children (from age 7, per a third-party directory) and adults
- Wounded service members and veterans
- People with autism
- People with anxiety or PTSD
- People with traumatic brain injury
- People with cognitive or learning challenges
- People with physical disabilities
- Youth affected by trauma
More about this center
About the Program
According to its website, SDTH was founded in 2001 as San Diego Hippotherapy, with a focus on people with physical disabilities. In 2014 it renamed itself San Diego Therapeutic Horsemanship and added services for veterans and for people with emotional and learning difficulties.
Certified instructors evaluate each participant and build an individual plan for riding and groundwork. The site lists common diagnoses served as anxiety, TBI, autism, cognitive and learning challenges, and PTSD, and says it is the only PATH organization with certified riding instructors within 30 miles of southern San Diego County. Read more about PATH Intl. accreditation.
Veterans and Youth
The Freedom Reigns program offers mounted lessons and groundwork for wounded service members with physical, emotional or learning challenges. SDTH says it has provided free horse-based programs to more than 150 veterans over the past five years. It also lists a no-cost youth trauma program, which it describes as the only one of its kind in the South Bay.
Volunteering
The website lists volunteer roles as lesson horse leader, side walker, horse care, business development and fundraising, and welcomes volunteers whatever their horse experience. Interested volunteers are asked to email sdthorsemanship@gmail.com.
Location
Lessons take place at Driftwood Ranch, 2191 Hollister Street, San Diego, CA 92154, in the South Bay area near Imperial Beach. The mailing address is PO Box 463, Imperial Beach, CA 91933.
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 I enroll a rider?
Email sdthorsemanship@gmail.com. A third-party directory says each rider submits an application that includes a form completed by their physician, and the website says credentialed instructors evaluate each participant and prepare an individual plan.
What ages does SDTH serve?
The website says it serves men, women and children. A pediatric directory lists ages 7 to adult.
How much do lessons cost?
The website says veterans programs and the youth trauma program are free; email sdthorsemanship@gmail.com about other fees. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
Location
San Diego, California 92154
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.