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EQUINE-ASSISTED SERVICES

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Therapeutic Riding

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Participants with a wide array of physical and cognitive disabilities are welcome to join this exceptional program. Therapeutic riding lessons are planned with the individual’s physical, social, educational, cognitive, and recreational goals in mind. An integrated team that includes a Professional Associated of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH Int.) - certified instructor and dedicated volunteers work with the rider to promote the success, the freedom, and the dignity that can be experienced through therapeutic horsemanship. It is our passion to expand our clients’ abilities and help them to reach their greatest levels of independence.

Benefits Include:

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  • Improvement in cognitive skills

  • Improvement in social skills

  • Improvement in behavioral skills

  • Increased emotional well-being

  • Reduction of sensory disorders

  • Increased self-esteem

  • ​​Increased balance and motor control

  • Increased coordination

  • Increased focus and learning capacity

  • Increased physical strength

Therapeutic Riding Anchor

Lessons are designed with the individual rider's goals and needs in mind. Classes are 30-60 minutes in length and clients attend once a week. All potential participants undergo a comprehensive intake process that involves completing registration forms, including a physician's release form and an evaluation. Horses and students are matched to complement the client's personality, ability, and developmental needs.

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Therapeutic Riding serves people with, but are not limited to:

Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Developmental Delay, Down Syndrome, Hearing and Vision Impairment, Learning Disabilities, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, and Speech Delay.

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Ground lessons are also available for individuals that cannot receive a physician's release to ride.

To get the process started, click below: 
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We are currently accepting new applicant applications. Please know there is a waitlist.
Please email us for additional information.

Darlene Cary, Therapeutic Riding Program Manager

PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, CTRI

CHA Instructor of Riders with Disabilities, Level 3

Mental Health Anchor

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

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Ready for the Next Step?

Email our Mental Health Program Manager 
to see if TF-EAP fits you, your child,
or a family member.

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Inspiration Ranch recognizes that to meet the mental health needs of Montgomery County and the Greater Houston region, we must be strategic, forward-thinking, and compassionate in our approach to mental health care. And so, we offer our herd of horses to you to help with learning and healing.

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Our Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program is a trauma-focused and trauma-informed model based on the principles of Natural Lifemanship. Natural Lifemanship believes that secure, healthy relationships are the foundation for all healing and uses Trauma-Focused Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (TF-EAP) to help clients learn to build healthy relationships and understand the power that those healthy relationships have to let them heal from harmful life experiences.

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Benefits of TF-EAP include:

  • Increased self-confidence

  • Increased ability to recognize emotions and
    regulate the nervous system

  • Experience healthy connection

  • Identify and change harmful relationship patterns

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This program will guide you through building a healthy relationship with a specially trained team including a licensed therapist, a certified equine professional, and the horse of your choosing. This experience helps you understand how your brain functions while building new pathways that heal relationships with yourself, others, and the world around you.

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Our horses are a vital part of the therapy team. Horses are uniquely attuned to subtle shifts in human respiration, body language, tone of voice, muscle tension, and posture. They are invaluable as relationship partners because they provide immediate and non-judgmental feedback about the impact of our interactions with them. Becoming familiar with a horse’s feedback forms the foundation for change that promotes healing and the development of secure relationships with yourself and others in your life. The same skills and principles you learn in your relationship with a horse apply to all human relationships.

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Additional Mental Health Resources

If you, or someone you love, needs help now, call 9-1-1.

Private Therapist: Suicide Practitioner

Whitcomb Terpening, MSW, LCSW-S

thesemicolongroup.com

wt@thesemicolongroup.com

281-475-6760

Located in Spring. Telehealth available.

 

Private Therapist: Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Janet Nicholas, MA, LPC, LCDC

Janetnicholas.com

janet@janetnicholas.com

713-882-4268

Offices located in The Woodlands; Equine-Therapy
located in Tomball

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Amanda Martin

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy

Special Cheers

12570 Clay Road, Houston, TX 7041

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Beverly Walsh, PhD

Brookside Ranch

Brooksideranch.com

Dr.bev@sbcglobal.net

713-540-1528

Located in the Pearland area

 

Private Therapist: Family, Marriage & Individual Therapy

EMDR Certified

Amanda Martin, PhD, LMFT-S
amandamartincounseling.com

832-422-8702

Located in Katy and Sugar Land

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Mosaics of Mercy

Helping Families Navigate Mental Health & Addiction Recovery

33114 Forest West Street
Magnolia, TX 77354

Phone: (346) 703-0051
mosaicstx.org

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Texas Education Agency

Counseling, Advising, and Student Supports

CASSTeam@tea.texas.gov

1701 North Congress Avenue

Austin, TX 78701-1401

School Counseling – FAQs

https://tinyurl.com/2ak9u9xt

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Jemwellnesscenter.com

Several therapists, providing diverse services

Clinical Director: Melanie Flint, LCSW

Located in Central Houston and Northwest Houston on Cypresswood

contact@jemwellnesscenter.com

832-560-9698

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Tri-County Behavioral Healthcare-Psychiatrists
and Therapists Available  (Medicaid Accepted)

Routine Services: 800-550-8408

Crisis Hotline: 800-659-6994

tcbhc.org

Psychiatric Emergency Treatment Center:
706 FM 2854
(aka Old Montgomery Road/Metcalf Street)

Conroe, TX 77301

Serves individuals living in Montgomery, Walker, and Liberty counties

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Psychiatrists
 

Dr. Terry Hugg

281-893-4111

17115 Red Oak Dr; Ste 109;

Houston, TX 77090

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Dr. Roopa Challapalli-281-465-9300 behavioralhealthcarephysicians.com

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Dr. Pacificah (281-651-8474) (Equanimity Behavioral
Healthcare; equanimitybhcs.org)

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Kingwood Psychiatry

kingwoodpsychiatry.com; 281-358-5701

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Dr. Nora Bailey at Woodlands Psychiatry woodlandspsychiatry.com; 832-458-1344​

MOBILE MINI UNIT

Bringing the beauty of Miniature Horses to You!

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Inspiration Ranch’s Mobile Mini Unit delivers the healing power of miniature horses—like our beloved Finn—directly to your location.

 

Whether you’re a hospital, school, nursing home, or community center, we make it easy and joyful to bring the benefits of equine therapy right to your doorstep.

 

On-Site Visits: Our trained miniature horses travel safely in a specially equipped trailer for scheduled visits.

 

Stress-Free Access: No need for transportation logistics or time off-site. We come to you!

 

Therapeutic Interactions: Just like at the ranch, participants experience:

  • Dexterity and motor skill practice

  • Hand-eye coordination activities

  • Emotional connection and joy

  • Socialization and communication boosts​

Questions? Email Me!

Darlene Cary, Therapeutic Riding Program Manager

PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, CTRI

CHA Instructor of Riders with Disabilities, Level 3

GROOMING WITH GRACE

Social, physical and emotional growth never ends!

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Ages 65+

Ground Only Program

Covered Outdoor Arena

$30/class

Caregivers are welcome to attend with no additional fee!

Grooming with Grace is a heartwarming equine program designed especially for seniors ages 65 and up, offering a unique opportunity to grow socially, physically, and emotionally—because growth doesn’t stop with age! Held in a covered outdoor arena, this ground-only class invites participants to connect with intuitive, gentle horses in a safe, welcoming space.

 

For just $30 per class, seniors can experience the joy of grooming and leading horses, which helps improve posture, balance, and mobility. The program is particularly beneficial for those with memory-related diagnoses, as it can spark positive memories and emotional responses. Fresh air, sunshine, and meaningful interaction with these empathetic animals offer a powerful antidote to isolation, and caregivers are always welcome to attend at no additional cost.

Why it Works:

  • Those with memory-related diagnoses can experience
    positive-triggered memories.

  • Getting out in the fresh air and sun benefits those who
    have stopped socializing.

  • Horses are very intuitive and know what a person needs.

  • Horses are ideal for anyone with a language barrier,
    cognitive disability, emotional issue, or physical disability.

  • Physical benefits include gentle exercise while grooming or leading the horses and increasing posture and balance.

Questions? Email Me!

Darlene Cary, Therapeutic Riding Program Manager

PATH Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, CTRI

CHA Instructor of Riders with Disabilities, Level 3

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