Building strength, confidence, and connection — one ride at a time.
Therapeutic Horseback Riding at Ivey Ranch pairs participants ages 4 and up with our gentle, trained horses to support physical, cognitive, and emotional growth. Our certified instructors guide every rider in a safe, encouraging environment.
Application Status
We are not currently accepting new riding applications. Applications will reopen on August 1, 2026.
Download the application packet now so you’re ready to submit when the window opens.
How Therapeutic Riding Helps
A horse’s rhythmic, three-dimensional gait closely mirrors the human walking pattern — which means every step engages the rider’s core, improves posture, and challenges balance in ways traditional therapy equipment cannot replicate. Riders aren’t passive passengers; they’re active participants in a full-body experience guided by movement, rhythm, and connection.
Beyond the physical, the bond between horse and rider carries its own quiet power. Our horses are patient, nonjudgmental companions whose calm, consistent presence helps reduce anxiety, improve focus, and build confidence. The responsibility of communicating with a horse fosters a sense of purpose and teamwork that riders carry with them long after they leave the arena.
Cognitive & Emotional Benefits
Greater focus and concentration, reduced anxiety, improved emotional regulation, and a stronger sense of self-esteem and independence.
Physical Benefits
Improved muscle strength, core stability, balance, coordination, posture, and range of motion — outcomes that complement traditional physical therapy and rehabilitation programs.
Challenges We Support
Our program is designed to serve participants facing a wide range of physical and cognitive challenges, including:
Physical: Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, Cerebral Palsy, stroke, Spina Bifida, and paralysis.
Cognitive: Autism, Down Syndrome, developmental disabilities, Sensory Integration Disorder, ADD, and ADHD.
Eligibility is reviewed on an individual basis in accordance with PATH Intl. safety standards, including specific height and weight guidelines. Please refer to the application packet for complete details.
Program Details
Session Structure
Lessons are held once a week and run 1.5 hours each. Sessions span 6 consecutive weeks to support consistent progress. All new riders begin with a mandatory private evaluation lesson to determine the best placement for their needs.
Fee Schedule
- Evaluation Lesson: $75 (private, required for all new riders)
- 6-Week Therapeutic Session: $240
Ivey Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Contact us to ask about financial assistance.
Therapeutic Riding Schedule 2026
| Session | Riding Dates | Break — No Riding |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Riding DatesJanuary 10 – February 20 | Break — No RidingFebruary 21 – March 6 |
| Session 2 | Riding DatesMarch 7 – April 17 | Break — No RidingApril 18 – May 1 |
| Session 3 | Riding DatesMay 2 – June 19 (No Riding May 18–24) | Break — No RidingJune 20 – June 26 |
| Session 4 — Summer Session | Riding Dates June 29 – July 31: Horse Camp August 3–7: Advanced Rider Clinic (AM) August 3–7: THR Camp (PM) August 10–14: Adult Horse Camp |
Break — No RidingAugust 17 – September 11 |
| Session 5 | Riding DatesSeptember 12 – October 23 (No Riding Oct 9–11) | Break — No RidingOctober 24 – October 30 |
| Session 6 | Riding DatesOctober 31 – December 18 (No Riding Nov 23–29) | Break — No RidingDecember 19, 2026 – January 8, 2027 |
Would you like to volunteer to help in our riding programs? Get more information here.
How to Enroll
Because this is a therapeutic program, a licensed medical professional must complete the Physician’s Statement included in the application packet before your application can be reviewed. Here’s how to get started:
Application
Download and complete the Application Packet. The packet includes all required forms for both the participant and their physician.
Physician’s Statement
Have your doctor complete the required medical section. This is mandatory for all new participants and cannot be waived.
Submit Paperwork
In Person: 110 Rancho del Oro Drive, Oceanside, CA 92057
RidingApplications@iveyranch.com
Fax: 760-722-6598
Evaluation
Once your paperwork is processed, our office will contact you to schedule your $75 evaluation lesson.
Annual Updates for Current Riders
PATH Intl. standards require all active riders to submit updated medical and contact information each year. Please download and complete the appropriate forms:
Frequently Asked Questions
Long pants and sturdy, closed-toe shoes or boots are required for all lessons. No sandals. ASTM/SEI certified riding helmets are mandatory — Ivey Ranch provides helmets for riders who don’t have their own.
Yes. PATH Intl. safety standards include specific height and weight guidelines that all participants must meet. Complete requirements are included in the application packet. Eligibility is reviewed on an individual basis.
Sidewalkers are trained volunteers who walk alongside the horse during a lesson, providing physical support and encouragement to the rider. Whether a sidewalker is assigned depends on the participant’s individual needs and is determined during the evaluation lesson.
Therapeutic Riding is a medical-adjacent service governed by PATH Intl. standards. The Physician’s Statement helps our certified instructors understand each participant’s medical history, current conditions, and any contraindications — ensuring every session is safe and effective for the rider, the volunteers, and the horse.
During rainy, stormy, or extreme heat conditions, lessons will be cancelled and a credit will be issued. If you’re unsure whether lessons are on, call our weather line at (760) 439-4839 ext. 417. If the message does not specifically say lessons are cancelled, they are not.
Please notify the office at least 4 hours in advance if a participant cannot attend a scheduled lesson by calling (760) 722-4839. Cancellations with less than 4 hours notice are considered a no-show and no credit will be issued. Participants who arrive more than 10 minutes late will not be permitted to participate and no credit will be issued.
The evaluation lesson fee is due prior to the lesson. Session fees are due at the start of each 6-week session. Payment may be made by cash or check at the Horse Office, or by credit card through the business office.
Yes. All active participants are required to submit updated contact and medical information each year to remain compliant with PATH Intl. standards.
Yes — sidewalkers and horse leaders are essential to every lesson. No prior horse experience is required. Visit our Equestrian Volunteers page to learn more.
Ready to Get Started?
Applications reopen August 1, 2026. Contact us with any questions in the meantime.
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