Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Center
Miami, Florida
Whispering Manes Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Miami, Florida. It offers therapeutic riding, therapeutic horsemanship, a veterans program, a summer camp, field trips and a mini horse literacy program. Its website says its programs serve individuals with physical, emotional or cognitive disabilities, and its history page lists riders from age 5 to over 70.
- Therapeutic horseback riding
- Therapeutic horsemanship
- Veterans program
- Summer camp (ages 9 and up)
- Manes and Tales equine-assisted literacy program
- Field trips for groups of up to 25
- Children with disabilities or special needs
- Adults with disabilities or special needs
- Veterans
- Struggling readers of all ages
- Groups on field trips, tailored to people with special needs
More about this center
About the Program
According to its website, the therapeutic riding program is a mounted program focused on learning independent riding skills, while therapeutic horsemanship covers horse-related activities tailored to each student. The veterans program combines the two.
The Manes and Tales literacy program uses mini horses to help struggling readers of all ages. The center says it does not offer equine-assisted psychotherapy or hippotherapy and has no therapists on staff, but it will work with a participant's own therapist.
History
The center's history page says philanthropist Nancy Hector recognized the need in Miami-Dade County in 2010 and hired Dr. Erin Bauer as the first executive director in 2011. Whispering Manes formally opened on January 23, 2012.
Mrs. Hector later bought a nearby 5-acre property, built an ADA-compliant barn and covered riding arena, and donated it to the center in 2015. In 2017 the center became a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center.
Location
Whispering Manes is at 6105 SW 125th Ave, Miami, FL 33183. Its history page says participants include students from Miami-Dade County Public Schools and local special education programs, as well as private individuals.
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 participant?
Download and complete the Participant Handbook and Application from the center's website. The center says participants are not accepted into a program until all forms are completed.
How much does it cost?
Call (305) 596-4204 to ask about current rates.
Does Whispering Manes offer hippotherapy?
No. The center says it does not offer hippotherapy or equine-assisted psychotherapy, but it will work with a participant's own therapist.
What ages can attend summer camp?
The website says summer camp welcomes participants ages 9 and up, with a riding lesson and horsemanship activities each day.
Location
Miami, Florida 33183
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.