Hearts Therapeutic Riding of Santa Barbara
Our Mission
Our mission is to employ the power of the horse to enhance the capabilities of children and adults with special needs in Santa Barbara County.
Located overlooking the Pacific in Santa Barbara, Hearts Therapeutic offers life-changing experiences to people of all ages with a wide range of disabilities. Since opening in 1985, approximately 60,000 lesson hours to over 2,000 members of our community have benefited from therapeutic riding. Today we have 10 horses and serve 80 riders per week.
Hearts is recognized by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH) as a “premier center” — the highest possible level of accreditation, demonstrating a superior level of adherence to national industry standards.
Lessons are individually designed to meet each rider’s particular need and ability and are consistent with predetermined goals that are established in partnership with parents, caregivers, physicians and other therapists.