Dare to Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Center
Monterey, Virginia
Dare to Dream Therapeutic Horsemanship Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a farm in the Mill Gap area of Highland County, near Monterey, Virginia. It offers therapeutic riding and foundation horsemanship for children and adults with physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral challenges. Lessons are taught by instructors certified by PATH Intl.
- Therapeutic horseback riding
- Foundation horsemanship training
- Ground work with horses in a round pen
- Private lessons
- 8-week lesson sessions (spring, summer and fall)
- Volunteer opportunities
- Children ages 4 and up
- Adults (no upper age limit)
- People with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome or developmental delays
- People with traumatic brain injury, stroke or multiple sclerosis
- People with amputations or orthopedic conditions
- People with PTSD, including military service members
- People with hearing, speech or visual impairments
- Youth community groups
More about this center
About the Program
Marsha Lunsford and her husband founded Dare to Dream on their farm, and the center was ready to begin lessons in 2015. Lunsford, the executive director, is a PATH Intl. certified therapeutic riding instructor. The center received its federal tax exemption in 2016 and is overseen by a board of directors.
Riding sessions run from April through November, with lessons Tuesday through Saturday. Most students ride once a week for 45 minutes, which includes mounting, riding and sometimes grooming and tacking. Instructors match each rider with a suitable horse and often begin with ground work in a round pen. Riders mount from a ramp. In bad weather, students are instructed in the barn.
Getting Started
Families start by completing the rider forms from the Getting Started page, which include physician and therapist medical history forms, an application and release, and an emergency medical authorization. Forms can be mailed to the farm or emailed. When a spot opens in an upcoming session, staff schedule an interview ride with a PATH Intl. certified instructor to assess the rider and match them with a horse. Visits are welcome by appointment.
Private lessons are $50 per hour, and an 8-week session of one lesson per week is $320, paid in advance. Scholarships are funded by donations, and the center keeps a scholarship waiting list. Families who need help with the cost are encouraged to talk with staff about ways to take part. Riders who do not have a disability may join in limited spots with the same paperwork.
Volunteering
Volunteers serve as horse leaders, side walkers and barn assistants, and also help with office work, events, repairs and fundraising. Volunteers must be at least 14, and horse experience is helpful but not required. All volunteers attend an orientation and training. To volunteer, contact the executive director, Marsha Lunsford, at (540) 499-2010 or (703) 774-5066 to set up an interview.
Location
The center is at 515 Wade Woods Lane, Monterey, VA 24465, in the Mill Gap area of Highland County. The center advises dressing in layers because it is often cooler in the mountains. Most riders come from Highland and Bath counties in Virginia and nearby Pocahontas County, West Virginia.
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 do I enroll a rider?
Return the rider forms from the center's Getting Started page by mail or email. Staff will call to schedule an interview ride when a spot opens.
What ages does Dare to Dream serve?
Riders must be at least 4 years old for therapeutic riding, and there is no upper age limit.
How much do lessons cost?
Private lessons are $50 per hour and an 8-week session is $320. Donation-funded scholarships have a waiting list. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
Location
Monterey, Virginia 24465
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.