Location: Thomasville, Georgia, United States
Hands & Hearts for Horses is a nonprofit equine-assisted services organization based in Thomasville, Georgia, offering therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted learning programs for individuals with a wide range of physical, cognitive, emotional, and developmental challenges. The program focuses on using the horse-human connection to improve confidence, coordination, communication, emotional regulation, and overall functional abilities in daily life.
The center is a PATH International Premier Accredited Center, meaning it follows nationally recognized standards for safety, programming, and instructor certification in therapeutic horsemanship. It operates year-round and serves participants through structured, individualized equine-assisted sessions supported by trained staff and volunteers.
About This Program
Hands & Hearts for Horses provides both mounted therapeutic riding and unmounted equine-assisted activities designed to support individualized goals for each participant. Programs are developed in collaboration with families, educators, and healthcare professionals to ensure that each rider receives appropriate support based on their needs.
Sessions may include riding instruction, grooming, horse handling, and groundwork, all designed to build physical strength, sensory integration, emotional regulation, and cognitive development. The program also integrates hippotherapy in coordination with licensed therapists when appropriate.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic horseback riding
- Hippotherapy (PT, OT, and speech therapy–supported sessions)
- Equine-assisted learning programs
- Adaptive horsemanship instruction
- Groundwork and horse handling skills
- Inclusive summer camps
- School group partnership programs
- Team-building and educational equine programs
Who They Serve
Hands & Hearts for Horses may be good for:
- Children
- Teens
- Adults
- Individuals with autism spectrum disorder
- Individuals with cerebral palsy
- Individuals with Down syndrome
- Individuals with traumatic brain injury
- Individuals with learning disabilities or developmental delays
- Individuals with emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges
Facility and Setting
The program operates in Thomasville, Georgia on a dedicated equine-assisted services facility designed for both therapeutic riding and clinical therapy support. The site includes riding areas, barns, and horse-handling spaces that allow for structured sessions in a safe and controlled environment.
The setting is highly organized and volunteer-supported, with multiple horses and trained instructors ensuring consistent therapeutic delivery. The environment emphasizes safety, routine, and individualized attention for each participant.
What Makes Them Unique
Hands & Hearts for Horses stands out for its strong clinical integration of therapeutic riding and hippotherapy under one accredited program. Its PATH International Premier Accreditation reflects a high level of professional oversight and adherence to national standards in equine-assisted services.
The program also operates at a high service frequency (multiple days per week, nearly year-round), allowing consistent therapeutic progress for participants. Its combination of structured riding, therapy integration, and educational programming makes it one of the more comprehensive equine-assisted centers in the region.