Benefits of therapeutic riding include:

Physical: Stretching tight or spastic muscles, decreasing spasticity, increasing range of motion, reducing abnormal movement patterns, improving respiration and circulation, enhancing appetite and digestion, and supporting sensory integration.
Psychological: Building self-confidence, increasing interest in the world, fostering patience, emotional control, self-discipline, and a sense of normalcy, and expanding personal agency.
Social: Creating friendships, expanding experiences, and promoting enjoyment.

Happy Trails Riding Academy is proud to be the only fully accredited therapeutic riding center in California’s San Joaquin Valley between Bakersfield and Modesto. Our riders range in age from six to over fifty, with the majority (90%) under the age of eighteen.

About Us

Happy Trails Riding Academy is a PATH International Premier Accredited Center dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities through equine-assisted therapy. Therapeutic horsemanship offers a unique opportunity for self-improvement and independence in a positive, engaging environment—providing a challenging and rewarding alternative to traditional therapy.

We serve riders with a wide range of diagnoses, including Cerebral Palsy, ADD/ADHD, head trauma, brain injury, sight and hearing impairments, developmental disabilities, Autism, Down Syndrome, and more.

As a horse moves, the rider’s body mirrors the motion of walking—a three-dimensional movement that no gym equipment can replicate. This natural motion helps improve balance, strength, and flexibility, while also enhancing information processing, language skills, independence, and self-confidence.

Our Mission

Happy Trails Riding Academy enriches the lives of individuals with disabilities through accredited equine-assisted services, fostering independence, confidence, and personal growth in a supportive and empowering environment.

Our Vision

Happy Trails Riding Academy strives to be a leading therapeutic riding facility with exceptional horses, safe and modern facilities, innovative programs, and the resources to serve more individuals with disabilities while ensuring the highest standards of care and support.