THOR Therapeutic Horsemanship of Ridgecrest

09/05/2026

THOR Thunder getting ready for the Parade of 1000 flags!

08/22/2026

Tickets on Sale Now!

Donations needed for our Auction!

08/20/2026

THOR would like to Thank Bertrand Enterprises/AAble Storage for their gracious Donation of 2 20foot Cargo Containers!

08/18/2026

Exciting new research from CSU Equine Sciences is highlighting the potential for horses to support social-emotional learning in youth!

Published in the Journal of Experiential Education, the study evaluated Changing Leads, an 8-week equine-assisted social-emotional learning program delivered through a partnership with Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center. Thirty-one middle school students from six schools participated in the randomized, waitlist-controlled study.

Following participation in the program, both parents and teachers reported significant improvements in students’ overall social-emotional competencies. Improvements included skills such as social awareness, self-management, relationship skills, decision-making, and optimistic thinking. Importantly, teachers were masked to the purpose of the study, providing an additional measure of the program’s impact beyond parent-reported outcomes.

These preliminary findings provide promising evidence that equine-assisted learning can be a valuable targeted resource for students who may need additional social-emotional support beyond traditional school-based programming.
Congratulations to lead author Sarah Matlock and the entire collaborative team from CSU Department of Animal Sciences, the CSU-School of Education, the Temple Grandin Equine Center, CSU Department of Occupational Therapy, and Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center on this important contribution to the growing science behind equine-assisted services!

08/12/2026

07/26/2026

Creating Emotional Connection Communication Strategies for Participants and Horses: Understanding the Horse's Perspective Ever wonder what your horse is really thinking? In Horse Therapy, it's not just about what we say or do, but how we interpret the subtle language of our equine partners. Understanding a horse's perspective is foundational to creating a truly therapeutic environment, especially for our […]
The post Creating Emotional Connection Communication Strategies for Participants and Horses appeared first on THOR Ridgecrest | Therapeutic Horsemanship of Ridgecrest.

Master equine therapy communication techniques. Discover strategies for deeper connection with horses and participants at THOR Ridgecrest.

07/19/2026

Managing Sensory Considerations for Equine Therapy Sessions During Peak Summer Months: Understanding the Unique Sensory Challenges of Summer for Equine Therapy Summer in Ridgecrest brings a particular set of environmental factors that, while often celebrated for outdoor activities, can significantly impact the nuanced world of Horse Therapy. For participants and horses alike, the warmer months introduce sensory variables that demand careful […]
The post Managing Sensory Considerations for Equine Therapy Sessions During Peak Summer Months appeared first on THOR Ridgecrest | Therapeutic Horsemanship of Ridgecrest.

Help horses and participants thrive in equine therapy summer heat. Learn how to manage sensory challenges for successful sessions.