Summary
The National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT) is a long-running California nonprofit known for its equine-assisted programs, adaptive riding, and community activities. Located in Woodside, California, the center blends structured routines, horsemanship experiences, and a strong focus on accessibility for children, adults, veterans, and first responders.
For more than fifty years, NCEFT has built a model that combines equine activities, program structure, and a thoughtful barn environment. This overview introduces the organization, its main offerings, and how its campus supports a wide range of participants.
Who They Are
NCEFT is a nonprofit public-benefit organization founded in 1971. It operates from a purpose-built 12-acre equestrian campus at 880 Runnymede Road in Woodside, California. Over time, the center has grown into a recognizable name in equine-assisted programs on the West Coast, serving local families and community groups.
The organization’s setting includes indoor and outdoor arenas, accessible mounting areas, barns, and open space designed to make participation comfortable and predictable for newcomers to horses.
Program Areas
NCEFT offers several categories of equine-assisted programming. Each program type uses horses and barn routines in different ways depending on the activity.
Adaptive Riding
Adaptive riding lessons focus on horsemanship skills, steady routines, and participation. Sessions introduce mounted and unmounted activities such as grooming, following patterns in the arena, or practicing simple riding sequences. Lessons are instructional rather than clinical, and pacing is adjusted to meet participant comfort levels.
Horsemanship and Groundwork
Many programs include unmounted activities—leading horses, observing behavior, helping with simple barn tasks, or engaging in arena exercises. These sessions give participants time to learn about horses in a hands-on and structured way.
Community and Group Programs
NCEFT hosts camps, school visits, and small-group activities throughout the year. These events are geared toward building familiarity with horses and offering a welcoming barn experience for children, teens, and adults.
Veteran and First Responder Programs
The center also offers equine-assisted programs specifically designed for veterans and first responders. Activities may include group sessions, horsemanship lessons, or immersive outdoor experiences that focus on teamwork, pacing, and connection in a supportive setting.
How Their Approach Is Structured
Programs at NCEFT typically follow a predictable rhythm. A session may begin with a greeting or preview of the day’s steps, followed by a mounted or unmounted activity, and a closing routine to signal the end of the visit. Staff members guide participants through clear sequences and demonstrate how to interact with horses respectfully and safely.
Horses selected for the program are typically described as calm, responsive partners used in a variety of activities depending on the program’s structure.
Horse Care and Program Standards
NCEFT highlights horse welfare in its public materials. Horses participate in limited, structured sessions and receive dedicated rest, turnout, and individualized care. Staff and volunteers follow consistent barn procedures for equipment handling, arena setup, and program flow.
The center’s long history means many of its practices have been refined over decades of operating equine-assisted programs.
Who They Serve
NCEFT works with a wide community that includes children, teens, adults, veteran groups, school programs, and participants who benefit from structured, animal-centered activities. Programs are designed to be adaptable so that individuals with different backgrounds, communication styles, and comfort levels can take part.
Location and Contact
NCEFT operates solely from its campus in Woodside, California.
Address:
880 Runnymede Road
Woodside, CA 94062
Phone and email:
(650) 851-2271
info@nceft.org
Visitors typically contact the center directly to learn about programs, scheduling, or upcoming events.
A Glimpse of a Visit
A first visit may include a short tour of the barn, an introduction to a program horse, and a chance to watch or participate in simple activities such as brushing, leading, or observing a lesson. The environment is calm and orderly, with staff guiding the pace and answering questions.
Why NCEFT Stands Out
With more than fifty years of continuous operation, NCEFT is one of the longest-established equine-assisted program centers in the United States. Its combination of adaptive riding, horsemanship activities, group offerings, and a dedicated campus has made it a recognizable presence in the Bay Area’s equine-assisted community.
Hello,
I live in MA. I am looking to receive training for my miniature horses and myself. I would like to train them to be therapy horses. They are very tiny, and sweet as can be.
Thank you,
Cassie