Nestled just beyond the Santa Fe Airport, behind the HIPICO Santa Fe Equestrian Event Center, you will find a stable of horses whose lives are dedicated to helping children and adults with special needs at the New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding (NMCTR). NMCTR is a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, or PATH International, the governing body for equine-related therapies and activities.
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created between the horse and the rider makes these accomplishments possible.
There are over 10,000 individuals with disabilities in the Santa Fe County alone. Since its founding in 2006, it has provided services to over 150 adults and children through several programs: Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program, School Outreach Program, Self-Mastery Program, and High School Intern Program.
The Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program provides instruction in riding and horsemanship with the goal of expanding the cognitive, physical, emotional and social skills and wellbeing of individuals with special needs, including Down Syndrome, traumatic brain injury, multiple sclerosis, autism, developmental delays, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s and others. Students of all ages and abilities learn to ride as independently as possible and gain self-confidence through individual lessons taught by a PATH International Certified Instructor.
The School Outreach Program provides therapeutic riding lessons for students from participating Santa Fe schools: Nino Otero Community School, Aspen Community Magnet School, El Dorado Community School, and New Mexico School for the Deaf. Instructors coordinate with the teachers to develop a lesson plan each week that incorporates classroom learning. This partnership is funded by the Rotary Club of Santa Fe Pancakes on the Plaza grant and The City of Santa Fe Children and Youth Commission.
ur herd of eight active and three retired therapy horses all have a different body shape, size and previous discipline to provide all participants the best opportunity to accomplish their physical and emotional goals. The special bond created between the horse and the rider makes these accomplishments possible.
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Healing Horses
New Mexico Center for Therapeutic Riding
By Ashley Armijo
Image by Samantha Waidler