Therapeutic Riding

High Hopes accommodates all four elements of therapeutic riding as defined by PATH, International: Recreation, Therapy, Sport, and Medicine. We do this in a unique way through our applied interdisciplinary team approach that includes consulting physical, occupational, speech and language, and expressive therapists, educators, and mental health practitioners.  Lesson activities are structured to teach riding skills through exercises, games, trails, and more. There is a 180lb weight limit for riding and several diagnostic contraindications.

Please see below note on accepting new applicants.

Horsemanship for Parkinson’s

We invite individuals with Parkinson’s and their caretakers to participate in an 6-week program!

Tuesdays, June 25th through August 6th, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

• Connect with Horses
• Learn groundwork, grooming & horsemanship skills
• Space to sit and observe will be available throughout the lesson.

We are excited to announce that we now offer financial aid to help support the cost of your participation in our Parkinson’s! Classes are only $10 per session!

Contact Hayley Plas to RSVP at hplas@highhopestr.org / 860-434-1974 ext. 132.

Youth Empowerment Program

The Youth Empowerment program is for children and teens ages 9-16 who have experienced trauma. Join us for this six week program that will run every Tuesday starting July 16th from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Participants will build confidence, foster connections, and ignite a sense of purpose – all alongside our magnificent equine partners. This fully unmounted curriculum is for small groups of up to 6 participants.

To register and learn more, please contact Hayley Plas by emailing at hplas@highhopestr.org

Process for participation

Our process for existing participation:

1. Complete Participant Registration.
2. For Therapeutic Riding and Carriage Driving only (not required for Unmounted Equine Learning Program) have your physician complete our medical history and physicians statement.
3. If the prospective participant sees a specialty provider (mental health professional, speech and language pathologist, physical/occupational therapist, etc) have them complete an additional form, Mental Health form or Therapist Form, including release for treatment.
4. Once we have received all mandatory paperwork, our Program Team will review current lesson availability and will be in touch to schedule an in-person assessment (fee of $75) if we believe we have an appropriate spot. The in-person assessment allows you the opportunity to determine goodness of fit for Equine Assisted Services and resources necessary to support success.

Costs and Financial Aid

The full cost of service for an Equine Assisted Activity is $304 per person per session. Due to generous donations from community members and organizations, High Hopes subsidizes 75% of tuition for participants. Our fee for service is $75 per person per lesson. The cost for the full Academic Semester is $2250 and the cost for the full Summer Semester is $675.

With our commitment to accepting participants into our programs based on therapeutic need, regardless of financial means, we offer further financial aid assistance to those unable to pay the established fees.

With our commitment to accepting participants into our programs based on therapeutic need, regardless of financial means, we offer further financial aid assistance to those unable to pay the established fees. If you are in need of financial aid, click here.