Haven’s Horses was an equine-assisted and therapeutic riding program operated through Christ’s Haven for Children in the Fort Worth–Keller area of North Texas. Although the Facebook location is identified as Fort Worth, historical program records place the facility at 4200 Keller-Haslet Road in Keller, Texas, within the broader Fort Worth area. The program used horses to provide therapeutic riding opportunities for children and adults with disabilities while also offering horsemanship and outdoor education programs.
Haven’s Horses grew out of Christ’s Haven’s long-standing horse and cattle program. In 2008, the organization expanded its horse program to serve the local community, and in 2009 Haven’s Horses became a member of PATH International and began therapeutic riding classes for children with disabilities. Historical volunteer accounts describe participants with physical and mental disabilities receiving support through horseback riding, with volunteers assisting as horse leaders and side walkers.
About This Program
Haven’s Horses was developed at Christ’s Haven for Children, a residential foster-care organization in Keller. Horses had already been part of the children’s lives at Christ’s Haven for many years before the organization expanded its horse program to include community classes and therapeutic riding.
The program combined therapeutic riding, horsemanship, outdoor education, and Christian character development. Participants could learn riding and horse-care skills while developing a relationship with the horse. Historical descriptions emphasize the idea of using the horse-human relationship to help children learn about responsibility, relationships, faith, and practical life skills.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic horseback riding
- Equine-assisted activities
- Hippotherapy-related riding sessions
- Adaptive riding support
- Horsemanship classes
- Christian horsemanship education
- Outdoor education
- Horse-care and grooming activities
- Horseback riding camps
- Community riding classes
- Volunteer opportunities supporting therapeutic riders
- Horse leading and side-walking assistance during lessons
Who They Serve
Haven’s Horses may be good for:
- Children and adults with physical disabilities
- Individuals with developmental or cognitive disabilities
- Individuals with mental or emotional challenges
- Children receiving services through Christ’s Haven for Children
- Children who may benefit from therapeutic horseback riding
- Riders interested in adaptive equestrian activities
- Children interested in horsemanship and outdoor education
- Families seeking horse-centered recreational programs
- Individuals who benefit from structured interaction with horses
Historical volunteer descriptions specifically mention working with children and adults with physical and mental disabilities, while other records describe therapeutic riding for disabled children.
Facility and Setting
Haven’s Horses was located at 4200 Keller-Haslet Road, Keller, Texas 76244, at the Christ’s Haven for Children property. Although the supplied Facebook page identifies its location as Fort Worth, the available historical records consistently associate the physical facility with Keller, which is part of the greater Fort Worth–Arlington–Dallas metropolitan area.
The facility provided a working horse environment where participants could ride, learn horsemanship, care for horses, and take part in outdoor educational activities. Historical community listings also promoted Haven’s Horses for homeschool horsemanship and outdoor education classes, including weekday classes and riding opportunities.
The equine environment was particularly important for therapeutic participants. Volunteers assisted with preparing horses, grooming, leading horses, and side-walking during lessons, allowing riders with disabilities to participate safely and receive individualized support.
What Makes Them Unique
Haven’s Horses was distinctive because it combined therapeutic riding with the residential children’s ministry of Christ’s Haven for Children. The program grew from horses already being part of the lives of children living at Christ’s Haven and eventually expanded to provide therapeutic riding and horsemanship opportunities to the wider community.
Its faith-based approach was another defining characteristic. Historical descriptions explain that horsemanship classes incorporated Christian teaching, with the relationship between horse and rider used as an opportunity to explore relationships, responsibility, and biblical principles.
Haven’s Horses also had a documented connection with the therapeutic riding community. The organization became a PATH International member in 2009 and was subsequently listed in national equine-therapy resources under Keller, Texas.
Directory status note: The strongest available information about Haven’s Horses is historical. Sources document the program operating in Keller and serving therapeutic riders, but I could not independently verify a currently operating therapeutic riding schedule. The Facebook page supplied for this listing should therefore be used to confirm current services before publishing it as an active program.