A girl is riding a horse in a barn while holding the hand of another girl.

Healthy and Natural Horse Assisted Activities

Download 2026 Therapy Schedule
At Rides & Reins TEC Inc, we believe in the ability of our horses to help clients with emotional, and physical needs. The relaxation of horseback riding can strengthen muscles and improve balance and coordination.

Bonds Between Horse and Rider

It is the sincere pleasure of Rides & Reins TEC to provide riders with developmental, emotional and physical needs the experience of relaxation thru horseback riding. The walking gait of the horse simulates the movement of a healthy person’s pelvis when walking on two legs. During a therapeutic riding session, this action relaxes and stimulates unused muscles while building muscle tone, improving balance, coordination and joint mobility.

Our volunteers and instructors use the horse’s movement to stimulate specific neuromuscular reactions. For riders with emotional disorders, horseback riding lessons help improve concentration, increase confidence, patience, and self-esteem. A sense of achievement is also an important emotional milestone for our riders and enhances the motivation toward recovery and further therapy.

Bonds are established between horse and rider, which can lead to continued self-confidence, patients and comfort. We are proud to offer such a distinct and natural method of therapy for children of all ages. The experience of working with an equine is one that can’t be matched, and we are thankful and proud of the riders who have benefited from our program and facility.
Click here for our 2026 Program Policies document, which covers important topics such as Attendance and Cancellation, Weight Limit, Apparel, and Safety Rules.
2026 Program Policies

Our Vision

  • Our vision is to increase the quality of life for people with special needs through the use of horses
  • We believe that horses provide recreational and therapeutic benefits to persons with special needs
  • We believe that what happens between a horse and its rider is often a magical, and sometimes unexplainable, experience
  • We believe we can improve the strength, balance, mobility, and outlook on life through horsemanship
  • We believe the world looks different from the back of a horse
Experience how helpful a horse can be.
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A silhouette of a horse in a circle on a brown background.
Special Needs Served:

ADD / ADHD
Autism
Cerebral Palsy
Development Delay or Disability
Down Syndrome
Emotional or
Behavioral Disorders
Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders
Genetic Conditions
Hearing Impairment
Intellectual Disability
Learning Disability
Orthopedic Issues
Speech Impairment
Spina Bifida
Spinal Cord Injury
Stroke
Visual Impairments

 Rides & Reins TEC believes that riding horses is a powerful development towards helping individuals with physical, emotional and developmental special needs.

Spirit Horse International Certifications

SpiritHorse International is one of two equine therapy certifying organizations, and we are proud to have six SpiritHorse International-certified instructors at Rides & Reins TEC.

Instructors SJ Rogers, Sherri Lex, Dale Wegner, and Linda Schraufnagel received their certifications in Missouri in April 2026, while Executive Director Virginia Zignego received her certification in Texas in May 2026. Barn Manager Jodie Edwards has been certified since 2023.

This specialized training gives our instructors additional knowledge and tools to deliver safe, effective, individualized horse-assisted activities tailored to each participant’s needs.

Program Rates

Rides & Reins TEC offers equine-assisted activities at the following rates:

  • Private Pay, IRIS, and CLTS: $210 per session

Financial Assistance and Scholarships

Rides & Reins TEC believes cost should not prevent an individual from experiencing the benefits of equine-assisted activities. Limited scholarship assistance may be available to eligible participants who need help paying for sessions. Scholarships are supported through grants and donations and are awarded based on financial need and available funding. Families may be asked to complete a brief scholarship application, and assistance is not guaranteed.