Enter His Gates is a Christian-based therapeutic riding and equine-assisted program serving North Central Oklahoma. Founded by Doris Williams as a nonprofit organization, Enter His Gates grew from a summer horse camp for children into a broader equine-assisted program designed to support physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. The organization’s website explains that its approach places the horse at the center of activities intended to promote emotional healing and physical wellness.
The program takes a two-part approach through camps and recreational riding, while also providing a facility that can be used for retreats and training sessions. Enter His Gates describes its vision as providing an equine-assisted program that can help children and families experience unconditional support while developing motor skills, coordination, balance, attention, self-esteem, and social and behavioral skills.
About This Program
Enter His Gates was established to give youth in North Central Oklahoma opportunities to learn about God, horses, horsemanship, and Christian values. The organization’s history began with a summer camp for children from different ages, backgrounds, and economic circumstances before expanding into therapeutic and recreational riding.
The organization specifically incorporates horses into activities intended to provide mental, emotional, social, and physical support. A regional resource directory has also identified Enter His Gates as a special-needs therapeutic riding program, while the Equine Therapy Registry lists the organization among equine therapy services in Oklahoma.
Services Offered
- Equine-assisted activities and programs
- Therapeutic riding for individuals with special needs
- Recreational horseback riding
- Summer horse camps
- Horsemanship education
- Horse-centered physical and developmental activities
- Activities supporting coordination, balance, and motor skills
- Programs designed to encourage attention and self-esteem
- Christian faith-based learning and ministry
- Retreats and training sessions
- Volunteer opportunities and horse-care involvement
Who They Serve
Enter His Gates may be good for:
- Children and youth in North Central Oklahoma
- Children and individuals with special needs
- Riders seeking therapeutic horseback riding
- Individuals who may benefit from equine-assisted activities
- People working on physical coordination, balance, or motor skills
- Individuals seeking social and behavioral development opportunities
- Families interested in Christian, horse-centered activities
- Children interested in summer horse camp
- Riders seeking recreational horsemanship experiences
- Churches, organizations, and groups seeking retreats or training opportunities
Facility and Setting
Enter His Gates operates its equestrian activities near Garber, Oklahoma, approximately 1½ miles north of Highway 412 and about four miles east of Highway 74, according to a local community resource listing. The organization’s mailing address is a PO Box in Enid, Oklahoma, while the riding and camp facility is located near Garber.
The facility includes an arena, three round pens, a pavilion, and a picturesque activity area. The organization describes the property as a peaceful setting intended to serve both riders and horses. These spaces provide room for riding activities, camps, gatherings, retreats, and other horse-centered programs.
Enter His Gates also maintains a carefully selected group of horses, including Tory, Blue, Dusty, Amigo, and Golden Boy. The organization notes that its horses are selected according to the needs of individual riders, emphasizing the importance of matching horse and participant appropriately.
What Makes Them Unique
Enter His Gates is distinguished by its combination of Christian ministry, therapeutic riding, and horsemanship. The organization views the horse not simply as a recreational partner but as an integral part of activities intended to support emotional, physical, social, and spiritual growth.
Its roots as a youth horse camp also give the organization a strong emphasis on children, families, learning, and community. The program has expanded beyond summer camp to include therapeutic and recreational riding, while retaining its faith-based mission and opportunities for participants to learn horsemanship and Christian principles together.
The organization’s founder, Doris Williams, established the camp after returning to Enid following years of ministry work. Her original horse camp near Garber eventually grew into the Enter His Gates program, which continues her emphasis on serving young people through horses, faith, and community.