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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.

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 riding lessons, equine assisted learning and personal growth, adaptive/therapeutic riding and horsemanship, equine assisted coaching, equine-assisted occupational/physical therapy, hippotherapy level 1 and equine assisted psychotherapy. Our equine assisted psychotherapy and Veterans/First Responder Corral 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 and develop.
Not only is our staff licensed in their professional fields, they are also PATH INTL. and/or EAGALA 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

Meg Hill

Executive Director/CTRI/ESMHL/CPC

Meg Hill is the founder and Executive Director of Asheville Equine Therapy. She is both a PATH INTL. CTRI and ESMHL (Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning). Meg 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). 
Being an IAPRC Certified Professional Life Coach with a focus on Health, Wellness, Stress Management and Team Building gives Meg the ability to elevate the participants' experience.

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Valerie Scott

M.S. OTR/L/Equine-Assisted Learning Instructor

Valerie’s career as an occupational therapist has spanned a variety of settings with diverse populations, from spinal cord injury rehab to school-based, sensory clinic, home health, and teletherapy environments with developmental delayed children. Additionally, she has extensive experience working in adult and adolescent inpatient psychiatric facilities. Valerie is a skillful clinician with the ability to assess and support sensory, motor, and social/emotional needs.
Having ridden since she was a child, Valerie learned horsemanship and riding skills on the family ranch. Valerie became the first occupational therapist to be certified as a mental health practitioner with EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning). She is Hippotherapy Level 1 certified.
Valerie brings her strong clinical knowledge as an occupational therapist, her experience with the healing abilities of horses, and compassionate client-center care to all her therapeutic work. Valerie is also a dancer, movement instructor, and an avid outdoors woman.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Fifi Pony

With a little bit of sass and a ton of class Fifi loves her job!

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Stanley the Manly

As a big strapping boy with a heart of gold, Stanley is nothing but a big love bug!

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Bo

Once a upon a time a fancy show horse, Bo the gentle giant loves all the kiddos!

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Mamie

As a trick horse, Mamie entertains all when she bows down before laying down!

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Jasper

A Tennessee Walking Horse, Jasper is the smoothest ride with a disposition to match his gate!

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Winston

Our newest addition to the herd, Winston was found at a livestock auction bound for the kill pen. Been shuffled through many hands, he is still learning to trust people with the help of caring participants.

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Lily Pony

Small but mighty, as a Halflinger, Lily pony can carry a sizeable adult and loves to take care of the tiny!

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Mabeline

Mabeline our Jersey/Angus Heifer loves to play tag in the field, take walks around the farm in her halter/lead rope and be groomed by participants!

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.
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Spring, Summer and Fall Equine Assisted Learning, Beginner Riding, Adaptive/Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship Sessions

Spring and Fall 8-Week private or semi private 60 minute sessions once a week. Semi private sessions are limited to 2 participants.

Summer 2-Week private and semi private 60 minute sessions meet 3 times a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Contact us for pricing, dates and times.

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Spring and Fall Beginner Equine Knowledge and Horsemanship Course

A 6 week, hands-on course meeting for 2 hours once a week. By the end of the course students will demonstrate beginner level equine knowledge and horsemanship through the assistance of our equines, science, math, history and reading.

Contact us for details, pricing, dates and times.

Get in Touch
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ALL THINGS EQUINE Summer R & R - Reading and Riding Equine Assisted Learning Camps

5 Consecutive days of ALL THINGS EQUINE! Mornings begin with horsemanship and riding. Afternoons are filled with book club meetings, equine related crafts, activities and games. Each participant receives the summer's matching book and Breyer Horse along with an AET drawstring backpack.

Contact us for pricing, dates and times.

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Silver Spurs Sessions

Riding isn't just for younger generations, it is for ALL generations! Introducing our Silver Spurs Sessions.

Contact us for pricing, dates and times.

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Equine Assisted Occupational Therapy and Hippotherapy Sessions

Private 60 minute sessions helping participants to improve balance, muscle control, range of motion, coordination/motor skills, respiration/circulation, sensory integration and so much more! Sessions are conducted by a licensed occupational therapist and equine specialist in mental health and learning. 

Contact us for pricing, dates and times.

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Asheville Veterans/First Responders Corral

Our veterans and first responders are a unique and strong community that keep us safe as a nation by risking their lives daily while serving our country and community. The Asheville Veterans/First Responders Corral Program is proud to give back what we can to those that have served our country/community and their families through equine-assisted services. Our 8-week program facilitates the Man O'War Project Protocol for veterans and first responders services. All sessions are conducted by a mental health professional and equine specialist in mental health and learning to ensure the quality and effectiveness of our program.

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Equine-Assisted Coaching, Team Building  Services and Workshops

Individual and Group Equine-Assisted Coaching and Team Building Services; full and/or half day Workshops for individuals and groups focusing on health, wellbeing, stress management and team building. Incorporating our Yurt, serene creek setting, and of course our equine partners, truly enhances one's experience. 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

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You Can Help Make a Difference

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Sponsorship

Sponsor a participant/horse

By sponsoring a participant you make it possible for someone to enjoy the healing powers of horses that would not be able to do so otherwise. Sponsoring an equine helps contribute to the care, feed, hay, farrier and veterinary needs of our equine partners. Every penny helps, our participants and equine partners THANK YOU!!

Volunteer

Get Involved

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.

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!!

Upcoming Events

Scholarships 

As a grassroots, homegrown small nonprofit Asheville Equine Therapy would like to thank Horses For Mental Health and ARCH (Arenas For Change) for including us in their national fundraising campaign. We want to thank each and every one of you that donated making it possible for us to provide a handful of scholarships for the 2023 year. 
WE THANK YOU!!
For more information on available scholarships and to apply, click the link below to send an email.

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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 invol