Equine Therapy Partner Program
Hold Your Horses partners with equine therapists across Illinois to help more children and teens in under-resourced communities access equine therapy. Since funding for equine therapy services is often limited, our program bridges the gap by connecting eligible families directly with local therapists and covering the cost of therapy. Therapist partners will reach out to parents directly to help walk them through how to get started and book their child's sessions. Sessions typically last between 30 and 60 minutes and are built completely around the child's needs and personal goals.
Depending on the child's needs and the specific topics being covered, such as horse safety, sessions will take place in the therapist's office or at the barn.
Based on a child's therapeutic goals and the therapist's unique certifications, activities will include groundwork such as grooming, observing, and interacting, or may include riding, if appropriate.
To learn more about our program, to see if your child qualifies, or to answer any questions, please complete the Interest Form.
Who We Serve
Hold Your Horses currently serves children and teens, ages 5 through 18 years old, in the state of Illinois, who:
-
Have a history of psychological trauma
-
Who qualify for government assistance programs
-
Who are currently engaged in mental health therapy and would benefit from a complementary, experiential approach to support deeper healing and personal growth
As we fund a limited number of equine therapy sessions, we currently serve those who are actively participating in ongoing therapeutic care. This ensures continuity of care when the equine therapy package comes to an end.
Next Steps
1
Invitation to Apply
Once an Interest Form is completed and Hold Your Horses determines that a child meets the criteria for services, we will send a link to begin the application process.
There is a non-refundable $20 application fee.* This helps cover the administrative costs and ensure we can continue serving our community efficiently.
*There is no fee to complete the Interest Form.
2
Funding Equine Therapy
Hold Your Horses will fund six to eight equine therapy sessions for children and teens who have been approved for the Equine Therapy Partner program.
All barn fees and therapist costs are non-transferable and paid directly by Hold Your Horses to the provider, regardless of whether the equine therapy sessions are completed or not.
3
Connect with Therapist
An equine therapist partnered with Hold Your Horses will reach out directly to the parent of the child or teen who will be participating in the Equine Therapy Partner program.
The therapist will further discuss the child's therapeutic needs, provide guidance on next steps, schedule the equine therapy sessions, and answer any questions parents may have.
Scheduling & Logistics
Scheduling & Commitment
Hold Your Horses believes that consistency is key to therapeutic success. We ask that you respect the time of our therapists.
-
24-Hour Cancellation Notice: If you need to cancel, please notify the therapist at least 24 hours in advance.
-
Late Cancellations: Cancellations made with less than 24 hours' notice may result in a session charge and the loss of a session.
-
Continued cancellations and/or “no-shows” will generally result in ineligibility to continue participation in Hold Your Horses funded programs.
Transportation
While Hold Your Horses financially pays for the professional fees associated with equine therapy, families or participating agencies are responsible for providing their own transportation to and from the sessions.
Continuity of Care Requirement
As we fund a limited number of equine therapy sessions, we currently serve those who are actively participating in ongoing therapeutic care. This ensures continuity of care when the equine therapy package ends.