The Shane Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship, Inc.
Centerburg, Ohio
The Shane Center for Therapeutic Horsemanship is a nonprofit therapeutic riding center at Willow Farm, a 40-acre property in Centerburg, Ohio, in Knox County. Its website says it is a PATH Intl. Premier Accredited Center. It serves children and adults with disabilities, age 5 and older, through adaptive riding, groundwork and barn-based programs.
- Adaptive/therapeutic riding (group and private)
- Horsin' Around natural horsemanship lessons
- Groundwork lessons
- Stable Buddies barn program
- Field trips and special day programs
- Volunteer opportunities
- Children and adults with disabilities
- Ages 5 and older
- Independent riders with special needs
- Beginners of all abilities
- Children under 12 (Stable Buddies)
More about this center
About the Program
The flagship program is adaptive therapeutic riding, offered year-round in group and private lessons. Horsin' Around is aimed at independent riders with special needs and beginners of all abilities, with natural horsemanship in the saddle and on the ground. Field trips and special day programs are also offered, with pricing on request.
Stable Buddies is designed for children under 12 or anyone who needs direct supervision for life skills, and a parent or caregiver stays for each session. Participants can focus on games, learning about horse health, nutrition and hoof care, or hands-on barn work. Lessons run 60 minutes in eight-week sessions.
Getting Started
Families start with the Participant Application Form on the website, and the executive director follows up within 72 hours. Next comes a 30 to 45 minute in-person evaluation with the executive director, followed by paperwork and registration.
The maximum weight for riding is 200 pounds, and groundwork is offered instead above that. Riders over 180 pounds must show head and neck control, balance and coordination on a riding simulator before mounted lessons.
The Horses and Staff
Lessons are taught by PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors, with volunteers helping riders and horses. Founder and executive director Karen Sanchez is a PATH Intl. Advanced Instructor and Mentor; Emily Kinzer is program director and Amanda Bachman is an instructor. The About page lists five horses (a Haflinger, a Belgian/Quarter Horse cross, a Thoroughbred, a Thoroughbred cross and a Quarter Horse) and Jethro, a miniature donkey.
Karen and Joel Sanchez founded the program in 1993 as Equine Assisted Therapy, Inc. It is named for Shane, Karen's horse of 36 years.
Volunteering
Lesson volunteers must be 14 or older, able to walk or jog for 60 minutes, and commit to one weekly lesson for eight weeks. Stable mates (12+) help with cleaning stalls, grooming horses and cleaning tack, and special event volunteers (16+) help with marketing, promotion and fundraising. All volunteers complete safety training, and those 18 and older need a BCI fingerprint check.
Location
The Shane Center is at 7908 Myers Road, Centerburg, OH 43011, on Willow Farm. All visits must be scheduled in advance; call or email to arrange one.
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 much do lessons cost?
As listed, an eight-week session of riding and/or groundwork lessons is $680, Stable Buddies is $320 and the evaluation is $25. Payment plans are available on request, and Family Support Services and waiver programs are accepted. Partial and full scholarships are available, and families who need help with the cost can email karen@shanecenter.org for an application.
How do I enroll?
Submit the Participant Application Form, then schedule an evaluation by calling 740-625-9324 or emailing info@shanecenter.org.
What ages does the center serve?
Programs are for ages 5 and older. Stable Buddies is designed for children under 12, with a parent or caregiver present.
Location
Centerburg, Ohio 43011
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.