Equine-Assisted Services,
Adaptive/Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship
Who We Are
Asheville Equine Therapy Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and PATH INTL. Center Member that provides equine-assisted services and beginner riding lessons. We are driven by a single goal: to do our part in helping enhance the lives of all including those with disabilities, special needs, PTSD, and trauma through equine-assisted services, adaptive/therapeutic riding and horsemanship. We strive to help build gratifying genuine relationships and make a positive impact with all our pursuits through equines with the assistance of our skilled professionals.
FEIN #84-2358846
Candid Guidestar Gold Seal of Transparency. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/84-2358846
What are Equine-Assisted Services?
Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) allow people with physical, cognitive, behavioral or emotional challenges to find strength, healing, and independence through the power and connection with the horse (Equus Foundation).
EAS, Adaptive Riding and Horsemanship benefit participants by helping build trust, connection, empathy, emotional awareness/regulation, confidence, communication/social skills, problem solving/coping skills, impulse control, balance, posture, coordination, fine and gross motor skills, vestibular, circulatory, nervous system functions, sensory processing, stress reduction and SO MUCH MORE!
Our Equine-Assisted Services include beginner and intermediate riding lessons, equine assisted learning and personal growth, Horse Powered Reading® and Math Programs, adaptive/therapeutic riding and horsemanship, equine assisted coaching, and equine assisted psychotherapy. Our equine assisted psychotherapy sessions are scheduled with one of our dedicated mental health professionals and equine specialist in mental health and learning.
Our Team
Asheville Equine Therapy Inc. emerged out of a pursuit to inspire, support and enhance the lives of all in the community. Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of equine professionals and volunteers are the backbone of Asheville Equine Therapy Inc.. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to evolve, develop and grow.
Not only is our staff licensed in their professional fields, they are also PATH INTL., EAGALA and/or ARCH Certified and are proud to uphold the safety standards of the Equine-Assisted Services Industry.
PATH INTL.- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International
EAGALA- Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association
ARCH- Arenas For Change
Meg Hill
Executive Director/CTRI/ESMHL/CPC
Horse Powered Reading and Math Facilitator
&
ARCH Professional Designation Coach
Meg Hill is the founder and Executive Director of Asheville Equine Therapy. She graduated from St. Edward's University, Austin, TX with her Bachelor's degree in Art and Education and has ridden for 40 years. She rides english, western and sidesaddle. She recognized the therapeutic power of horses at a young age through her own life experiences. Living in North Carolina for the past two decades, Meg saw a need for equine-assisted services in her local community, creating Asheville Equine Therapy Inc. 501(c)(3).
She is a PATH INTL. CTRI and ESMHL (Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning). As a former public school teacher, Meg brings reading and math into the arena as a Horse Powered Reading and Math Facilitator.
Being an IAPRC Certified Professional Life Coach with a focus on Health, Wellness, Stress Management, Leadership and Team Building gives Meg the ability to elevate the participants' experience with personal growth in mind by facilitating through a story mindset and framework. When our story changes, we change!
Michelle Barshaw
Natural Horsemanship Specialist/Instructor
Michelle Barshaw is a competitive Hunter/Jumper rider who has ridden for 40+ years and became a Level 4 Parelli Instructor. In the past decade she has gone on to develop her own successful program; Calm, Connected, and Confident Horsemanship from life long experiences and exceptional horsemanship. Michelle's services are available both on and off the farm. She will come to you and your equines or you may partner and learn with our equines.
Rachel Zemanek
PATH INTL. CTRI in Training and Local Paramedic
Rachel Zemanek is our newest instructor in training and a local Paramedic. Born and raised in Michigan, she graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in Project Management and has been riding for almost 30 years. Her passion for horses started as soon as she could walk, talk, and read. Through her years of riding, she found a special connection between her love of horses and her passion for mental health.
Now, Rachel spends her time combining both of her passions as she has seen the benefit of equine therapy firsthand. She has been a PATH INTL. volunteer for 10 years and is working toward her PATH CTRI Certification. She hopes that she can offer her expertise as a first responder and avid horse enthusiast to Western North Carolina first responders.
NOT ALL Asheville Equine Therapy instructors are licensed medical professionals in the mental health field.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions are scheduled with one of our dedicated mental health professionals.
About Our Equines
"Horses carry the wisdom of healing in their hearts and offer it to any human who possess the humility to listen."
-Wind Horse Sanctuary
DID YOU KNOW?
The average cost of care for 1 horse in the state of North Carolina is $8,832 a year, yep you read that right!!
https://horserookie.com/average-horse-cost-by-state/
Sponsor an equine partner today and receive pictures and updates monthly of your chosen equine!
Our Programs and Services
AET provides an inclusive environment, enabling individuals and groups to feel safe, respected, engaged, motivated, and valued. Our programs are for ALL and include everyone, regardless of disability, race, ethnicity, religion, gender or age.
ALL THINGS EQUINE HORSEMANSHIP & RIDING ACADEMY
Hands - on equine assisted learning, horsemanship and riding, meeting for 2 hours twice a month. Participants have the opportunity to “level up” by showcasing their knowledge at the end of each level in a fun, supportive, peer collaborative environment. Oozing with confidence, they are eager to move on to the next level, introducing new skills, mastering more difficult riding techniques, while building on their equine knowledge along the way. These sessions run all year round and are for those participants obsessed with horses and want to know it all and do it all!!
Contact us for details, pricing, dates and times.
BEGINNER/INTERMEDIATE HORSEMANSHIP & RIDING
ADAPTIVE/THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP & RIDING
Spring and Fall 8 - Week private or semi-private 60 minute sessions, once a week. Semi-private sessions are limited to 2 participants.
Summer private or semi-private sessions: 2 weeks meeting for 60 minutes, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during the months of June and July.
Contact us for pricing, dates and times.
READING RODEO AND MATH PROGRAM
Reading Rodeo is an equine assisted literacy and math enrichment program. Facilitated using Horse Powered Reading® and Math, it takes experiential learning to a whole new level! Through Equine assisted experiential games and activities, struggling readers learn phonemic awareness and phonics in a fun and creative way. Services are tailored to the individual's learning needs and include but are not limited to: decoding, vocabulary enhancement, fluency, building comprehension skills, and critical and creative thinking. Private, semi private and group sessions available.
Contact us for pricing, dates and times.
To learn more about HPR methodology, visit: https://www.horsepoweredreading.com
Video of how it works!
AET'S SUMMER CAMPS
3 or 5 Consecutive days of horsemanship and riding summer Camps. Mornings begin with horsemanship and riding. Afternoons are filled with equine related crafts, games and activities. Camps have different themes throughout the summer. Be sure to check our Upcoming Events page or click the button below for details!
Contact us for pricing, dates and times.
EQUINE EXPERIENCE WORKSHOPS
&
PARTIES
Coming to town to visit beautiful Asheville and looking for something different to do with your family and friends? Have a horse obsessed kiddo that wants a unicorn or cowboy party? We have you covered with our 2 or 4 hour workshops and parties for all ages. Schedule your private party or workshop today!
Contact us for pricing, dates and times.
EQUINE-ASSISTED COACHING, LEADERSHIP, TEAM BUILDING SERVICES & WORKSHOPS
Individual and Group Equine-Assisted Coaching Leadership and Team Building Services; full and/or half day Workshops for individuals and groups focusing on personal growth, wellbeing, stress management, leadership, and team building. Facilitating through a story mindset and framework along with the help of our equine partners, clients discover that when our stories change, we change. The path towards self discovery, recognizing patterns, self reflection, setting goals and creating an action plan, has never felt so effortless!
Contact us for pricing, dates and times.
NOT ALL Asheville Equine Therapy instructors are licensed medical professionals in the mental health field.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy sessions are scheduled with one of our dedicated mental health professionals.
Asheville Equine Therapy is proud to be a NCSEAA Provider. Through the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, ESA (Education Saving Account) and NC Disabilities Grant programs, qualified participants' costs are covered.
Volunteer Opportunities
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see” -Mark Twain
“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” – James Matthew Barrie
Do you want to learn about horses AND help your community at the same time?! Volunteer today! We provide volunteer training before each session/workshop. Get in touch with us today for details and scheduling.
You Can Help Make a Difference
Make a Donation
Make a true change! Not only do we need the generosity and involvement of people like you, we appreciate every contribution going towards making Asheville Equine Therapy Inc. an even better EAS program and non-profit organization than it already is. Our staff, participants and equine partners THANK YOU!!
Are you a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist or Speech Pathologist?
Are you looking to add hippotherapy to your private practice? Let Asheville Equine Therapy provide you and your clients with the facility, the equine partners, and an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning to offer a whole new dynamic to your services!
Contact us today for more information
Contact
Asheville Equine
Therapy Inc. Equine-Assisted Services,
Adaptive/Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship
Get in touch with Asheville Equine Therapy Inc. to learn more about our work and how you can get involved.
Asheville Equine Therapy
P.O. Box 1035
Leicester, NC 28748
Visitations made by appointment only
(828) 630-7551