Healing witH Horses RancH
Healing with Horses Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing equine-assisted services in Central Texas. Through the partnership of horses & humans, we help individuals build resilience, independence, and strong relationships in a safe, inclusive environment where growth is lasting & life-changing.
Mission
Vision
To promote resilience, independence, and healing in mind, body, and soul through the power of the horse.
To set the standard for equine-assisted services through collaborative research, instructor training programs, and continued professional development for our staff, while providing exceptional care as a sanctuary for equines who have provided services for our clients.
Who We Serve
Based in Manor, Texas, just outside Austin, Healing with Horses Ranch serves Travis County & surrounding communities. While welcoming individuals of all ages navigating mental health diagnoses or complex life challenges, our trauma-informed programs focus primarily on three core underserved populations who frequently encounter gaps in traditional support systems: at-risk youth, people with disabilities, and uniformed service members. We bridge these gaps by providing individualized adaptive (therapeutic) riding, equine-assisted learning, and equine-assisted psychotherapy.
At-Risk Youth
Resilience
Interactions with horses provide a non-competitive, non-judgmental setting to build emotional & social capacity, while providing individuals with relationships that are both caring & consistent.
We focus on building self-awareness, enabling the individual to work through unexpressed emotional pain, and learn how to recognize, verbalize and regulate their feelings.
People with Disabilities
Independence
Because riding a horse rhythmically moves the body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders living with physical disabilities often improve in flexibility, balance, muscle strength, and range of motion. Additionally, due to the non-verbal communication between a horse & human, individuals practice communication in their own way.
Our program improves physical & cognitive skills that spark new independence within the rider that they can then carry over into everyday life.
Uniformed Service Members
Transition
Many veterans & first responders return from duty carrying physical & emotional wounds. Whether from combat zones, emergency scenes, or prolonged exposure to trauma, adjusting to everyday life can be difficult. Our program uses horses to support those transitions.
Each horse & participant work together on relaxation, memory, patience, confidence, physical wellness, and focus. These skills extend far beyond the arena and into daily life.
Stay Up To Date
There is always something new happening at the Ranch, from community events to continuing education opportunities. Check back often to see what’s coming up next so you never miss out on the fun!
From yearly events to special events, there is always something to look forward to!
Join us for one of our workshops, webinars, or training opportunities to learn about the healing power of the horse.
Get Involved
Healing with Horses Ranch is a vibrant community that is welcoming to all. There are many ways to get involved, from joining a committee, to becoming a regular on our feed team, to volunteering in lessons. No matter your time or talents, we can’t wait to welcome you to the Ranch.
Volunteer with Us
Volunteer as a Group
As a volunteer at Healing with Horses Ranch, you become a part of our herd & a vital puzzle piece toward increasing independence & resilience for at-risk youth, uniformed service members, and people with disabilities.
Volunteering as a group is a great way to bond as a team, build positive communication, and give back to the community! Group volunteering experiences are a single commitment of two hours with no experience required.
Join Us at an Event
Support Us by Donation
Throughout the year, we host & attend events around the greater Austin area. We want to share our wonderful space with the community around us, and raise funds to continue our mission of offering safe, affordable equine-assisted activities.
We are committed to making our services affordable & accessible to all. Donations from community members like you help to sustain our herd, and ensure equine-assisted services can continue year-round.
Meet Our Herd
Healing with Horses Ranch is a PATH International Premier Riding Center. Our instructors & equine specialists, all of whom are PATH certified, believe deeply in the transformative power of the horse-human connection, and the ability for individuals from all backgrounds to improve their emotional, cognitive, and physical abilities.
The horses, our greatest teachers, are the center of our team. We partner with a variety of breeds, shapes, and personalities of horses to meet the diverse needs of our riders. Every member of our herd is part of the family for life. In 2025, we became an equine sanctuary, which means each horse will live out their days here, whether or not they’re actively involved in programs. While we are not a rescue, once an equine is here, they can rest assured that this is their forever home.
A Standard of Excellence
Healing with Horses Ranch is affiliated with the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) International, which delivers evidence-based, trauma-informed services led by certified professionals. PATH certifies & accredits centers, instructors, and equine specialists using field-tested standards for safety, ethics, and effectiveness. To become certified, instructors must complete a series of continuing education, fulfill student teaching requirements, and pass both written & practical exams.
Originally founded in 2011 as a PATH-compliant center by Patty D’Andrea, an Advanced Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor & Certified Equine Specialist, Healing with Horses Ranch held the first session in January 2012. Just six years later, a voluntary peer review earned the organization status as a PATH International Premier Accredited Center, which has been maintained annually since 2018. This designation recognizes the Ranch for upholding PATH’s highest standards & enables us to train other centers toward the same goals.