Kiddy Up Ranch is a nonprofit equine-assisted services and agricultural education center located in Hudson, Florida. Founded in 2010, the ranch was established to help children, adults, veterans, and individuals with disabilities discover their abilities, build confidence, and experience healing through meaningful connections with horses, animals, and nature. What began as a small ministry has grown into a thriving 35-acre ranch serving more than 160 families each week through therapeutic horsemanship, adaptive riding, educational programs, and community-based initiatives.
The ranch’s mission is to create a safe and welcoming environment where healing, learning, confidence, and personal growth flourish through horsemanship, animal care, and farm life experiences. Inspired by a young girl with cerebral palsy who demonstrated the transformative impact of horses, Kiddy Up Ranch continues to serve individuals of all abilities while fostering inclusion, dignity, and community connection.
About This Program
Kiddy Up Ranch offers therapeutic and adaptive horsemanship programs designed to support physical, emotional, cognitive, and social development. Participants engage in riding, horse care, grooming, groundwork, and equine-facilitated learning experiences that promote confidence, responsibility, independence, and life skills. Programs are available for children as young as two years old and are adapted to meet the unique needs of each participant.
In addition to equine-assisted services, the ranch provides agricultural education through its Farmstead programs, micro school, camps, and hands-on farm experiences. Participants benefit from interacting with horses and other farm animals while developing practical skills, character, leadership, and a deeper connection to nature.
Services Offered
- Adaptive riding programs
- Therapeutic horsemanship
- Traditional horsemanship lessons
- Equine Facilitated Learning (EFL)
- Carriage driving programs
- Horse Powered Reading®
- English and Western riding academy
- Freedom Reins veterans and first responder program
- Tiny Trotters early childhood horsemanship
- Farmstead agricultural education programs
- Farmstead Micro School
- Seedlings Pre-K and Toddler Time programs
- Summer camps
- Goat showmanship activities
- Educational field trips
- Life skills and character development programs
- Animal-assisted learning experiences
Who They Serve
Kiddy Up Ranch may be good for:
- Children ages 2 and older
- Teens
- Adults
- Veterans
- First responders
- Individuals with physical disabilities
- Individuals with intellectual disabilities
- Individuals with developmental disabilities
- Individuals with neurological conditions
- Individuals with emotional or behavioral challenges
- Trauma survivors
- Human trafficking survivors
- Individuals seeking confidence-building experiences
- Homeschool students and families
- Community groups seeking equine-assisted learning opportunities
Facility and Setting
Kiddy Up Ranch operates on a 35-acre property in Hudson, Florida, providing a spacious and welcoming environment for therapeutic horsemanship, education, and community engagement. The ranch is home to more than 20 therapy horses and a variety of farm animals that participate in educational and therapeutic activities. The property also includes agricultural learning spaces, outdoor activity areas, and facilities that support both equine and farm-based programming.
The ranch emphasizes safety, inclusion, and individualized support. Horses are carefully trained and selected for their therapeutic roles, while staff and volunteers work together to create positive experiences that encourage growth, healing, and personal achievement.
What Makes Them Unique
Kiddy Up Ranch stands out for combining therapeutic horsemanship with agricultural education and community-centered programming. Rather than focusing solely on riding, the organization integrates animal care, farming, leadership development, literacy programs, and life skills education into its services, creating opportunities for holistic growth and learning.
Another distinguishing feature is its commitment to serving individuals of all abilities while offering specialized programs such as Freedom Reins for veterans and first responders, Horse Powered Reading®, adaptive riding, and inclusive educational opportunities. The ranch’s faith-based foundation and strong community involvement further contribute to its welcoming and supportive atmosphere.