Naples Therapeutic Riding Center

Naples Therapeutic Riding Center is a nonprofit equine-assisted services center where compassionate volunteers, dedicated staff, and highly trained horses work together to support the physical, emotional, and social well-being of our community. Our programs combine professional instruction with the unique joy of partnering with horses, creating a welcoming environment where growth and connection happen naturally. Volunteers bring the spirit of NTRC to life—one lesson, one laugh, and one stride at a time.

The mission of Naples Therapeutic Riding Center is to improve the lives of children and adults with physical, social and mental health needs through therapeutic riding and other equine-related programs. More than 50 distinct physical, social, and mental health needs are supported through NTRC’s therapeutic riding and group programs. Our therapeutic riding program can serve up to 180 participants each year, the majority of whom are children and teens. On occasion, we also welcome older adults, including riders in their 60s and beyond. NTRC’s group programs—offered as Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) and Equine-Facilitated Learning (EFL)—currently serve more than 600 participants annually. These programs are primarily designed to support mental, emotional, and behavioral health needs and may be delivered mounted or unmounted based on the goals of each group. Participants include individuals experiencing trauma-related challenges, families navigating grief or loss, youth facing housing instability, those working toward recovery from addiction, and people seeking support with overall mental wellness. Developed in collaboration with community partners, NTRC’s equine-assisted group programs are shaped by local needs, evidence-based practices, and the shared goal of improving lives through the healing power of horses.