Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Santa Barbara
Hearts Therapeutic Equestrian Center (Hearts) is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen and inspire people of all ages and capabilities through equine-assisted therapy. Founded in 1985, Hearts has positively impacted the physical and mental health of thousands of children and adults in Santa Barbara.
Hearts offers a variety of unique programs, the main one being their Therapeutic Riding Program. This program teaches horseback riding and horsemanship to people with a variety of disabilities, adapting lessons to each person’s unique needs. Through their work, the employees of Hearts found that riding a large, powerful animal can be very motivating. It gives the rider a sense of control and connection, as well as stimulating important joints and muscles. Among their other programs are their Groundworks Program, Veteran’s Program, Behind the Saddle Program, and their youth Summer Camp. All programs have been extremely successful in promoting the cognitive, emotional, physical, and mental wellness of all participants.
We stopped by their facility to learn more about their programs and how people can help support their mission. And we also got to meet some adorable horses! ClickHere to watch our interview with Director of Operations, Kristen Kallai, and Board Chairman, Thom Bateman.
