NOTICE: This program announced that it ended operations effective November 2, 2025, and appears to be permanently closed.
Circle of Hope Therapeutic Riding, Inc. was a nonprofit equine-assisted services program in Barnesville, Maryland. For many years, it provided therapeutic riding and related horse-based support for children and adults with physical, developmental, emotional, and psychological disabilities in a structured and encouraging farm setting.
The program was known for individualized sessions that combined horsemanship with therapeutic goals. Its work focused on helping riders build confidence, independence, physical strength, and social awareness through regular interaction with horses, instructors, and volunteers.
About This Program
Circle of Hope offered therapeutic riding for children and adults with a wide range of disabilities and challenges. The program was built around individualized support, with sessions designed to address physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional goals rather than using a one-size-fits-all lesson format.
It also stood out for its long-running community presence in the Barnesville area. As a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited program, Circle of Hope served families looking for a structured therapeutic riding environment with trained staff, specially prepared horses, and volunteer support.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic riding
- Equine-assisted activities
- Individualized riding sessions
- Volunteer-supported horse programs
- Adaptive riding support
- Horse-based activities designed around therapeutic goals
Who They Serve
Circle of Hope may have been a good fit for:
- Children with disabilities
- Adults with disabilities
- Individuals with physical challenges
- Individuals with developmental disabilities
- Individuals with emotional or behavioral challenges
- Individuals with psychological challenges
- Families seeking therapeutic riding in the Barnesville area
Facility and Setting
The program operated from Pleasant View Farm in Barnesville, Maryland. Its setting provided a dedicated equestrian environment where riders could work with horses in a calmer, more personalized setting away from a typical urban or clinic-based atmosphere.
That farm-based environment was an important part of the experience. The program paired structured riding instruction with a supportive community of instructors, volunteers, and horses, giving participants a place to work on meaningful goals through equine-assisted activities.
What Makes Them Unique
One of the things that made Circle of Hope distinctive was its individualized approach. Rather than emphasizing only recreation, the program centered each rider’s experience around specific developmental, emotional, behavioral, and physical goals.
Its longevity also helped it stand out. Circle of Hope served the Barnesville area for many years and built a reputation as an established therapeutic riding program for families seeking horse-based support in the greater Montgomery County region.