Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Inc.

Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Inc. Heartland Therapeutic Riding is a therapeutic riding center serving children and adults with disabilities in the Kansas City area, since 1978.

Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Inc. was founded because of the determination and drive of one mother who refused to accept that an individual with a disability should be excluded from horseback riding, because of their diagnosis. Literally proving where there is a will, there is a way. In 1977, Jean Baum established Heartland Therapeutic Riding after horseback riding was suggested as a potentially

helpful (future) activity for her nine-month old daughter, who had special needs. Jean learned more about the benefits of therapeutic riding from Lida McGowan, who founded the Cheff Center for therapeutic riding, in Minnesota. After attending the lecture, Jean was convinced that the Kansas City area would greatly benefit from this type of center. After discovering a staunch opposition to the very idea of individuals with disabilities riding horses, Jean established the first therapeutic riding center in Kansas City. was one of the first therapeutic riding centers in the country, and has earned the status of PATH, Intl. Premier Accredited Center. Heartland currently serves more than 100 incredible riders and has a team of more than 120 amazing volunteers, yet we have never forgotten all of the hard work, determination and dedication that it took to get here. We are committed to helping individuals with disabilities through equine assisted activities and therapies. We strive to change lives, one ride at a time.

❗️Just 10 days left to reach our goal of $4,500—we are halfway there!Every child deserves the joy, adventure, and lastin...
07/21/2025

❗️Just 10 days left to reach our goal of $4,500—we are halfway there!

Every child deserves the joy, adventure, and lasting memories that come with summer camp. To make these opportunities accessible to all our riders, HTR is partnering with Camps for Kids, which matches every dollar we raise and gives it right back to HTR camps!❤️🐴

The deadline to donate is Thursday, July 31st. Donate through the link below!

Heartland Therapeutic Riding’s Horsemanship Camp is a week-long day camp for children ages 6-14 with special needs. The campers are divided into small groups allowing them to rotate through the following stations and experiences: Riding, horse care and management, crafts, and inclusive games and a...

HTR is hiring for barn help! Please share to help get the word out - We're looking for our new team member!
07/19/2025

HTR is hiring for barn help! Please share to help get the word out - We're looking for our new team member!

07/18/2025

🌟Help Us Reach Our Goal of $4,500 — We're Already HALFWAY There! 🌟

HTR is teaming up with Camps for Kids to make camp accessible for all our riders! And here's the exciting part: every dollar you donate will be matched — doubling your impact! Your support helps cover camp costs, adaptive activities, and the chance for our riders to grow, connect, and to have fun.

🗓️ Deadline: July 31st, 2025
💸 Matching Details: Donations will be matched dollar for dollar

⬇️Donate through the link below:⬇️

https://campsforkids.org/donate-camp/?camp_id=86

Come out and join our Sidewalker Training next month! Learn how to support our incredible riders and be part of a life-c...
07/10/2025

Come out and join our Sidewalker Training next month! Learn how to support our incredible riders and be part of a life-changing experience at HTR!❤️

📆Date: Wednesday, August 6th at 5:30pm
➡️Sign up by submitting a volunteer application on our website at https://htrkc.org/volunteer-opportunities

Once you submit an application, you will get an email with more information about the training location and details. Looking forward to seeing you!

🌟Help Us Reach Our Goal of $4,500 — We're Already 25% There! 🌟HTR is teaming up with Camps for Kids to make camp accessi...
07/08/2025

🌟Help Us Reach Our Goal of $4,500 — We're Already 25% There! 🌟

HTR is teaming up with Camps for Kids to make camp accessible for all our riders! And here's the exciting part: every dollar you donate will be matched — doubling your impact! Your support helps cover camp costs, adaptive activities, and the chance for our riders to grow, connect, and to have fun.

🗓️ Deadline: July 31st, 2025
💸 Matching Details: Donations will be matched dollar for dollar

⬇️Donate through the link below:⬇️

https://campsforkids.org/donate-camp/?camp_id=86

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity! Email andrea@htrkc.org to sign up today!
07/08/2025

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity! Email andrea@htrkc.org to sign up today!

***THIS GROUP IS LIMITED TO 8 PARTICIPANTS! EMAIL NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT!***

We are excited to welcome you to our Equine-Assisted Social Skills Group!

Horses are sensitive animals that naturally respond to human emotions and body language, making them excellent partners for practicing social and emotional skills. Each session includes group discussion, activities with horses, and reflection time to help your children apply these skills in everyday life.

This 4-week group series is designed to help children and adolescents build communication skills, emotional awareness, empathy, teamwork, and confidence through guided interactions with horses in a safe, supportive environment.

⸻

What to Expect:

• Duration: 4 weekly sessions, 90 minutes each
• Activities: Ground-based activities with horses (no riding), including leading, grooming, and teamwork challenges
• Skills Focus: Social communication, emotional regulation, empathy, assertiveness, and problem-solving

Week 1 (July 19) – Building Trust & Group Cohesion

Week 2 (July 26)– Empathy & Emotional Regulation

Week 3 (August 2)– Communication & Assertiveness

Week 4 (August 9)– Teamwork & Problem Solving

***NOTE: Dates may be subject to change based attendance and/or severe weather!

⸻

Weekly Handouts:

At the end of each session, your child will bring home a weekly handout summarizing what we practiced and offering discussion questions to reinforce skills at home. We encourage you to ask your child about their experiences and celebrate their efforts in learning new skills.

⸻

Contact and Questions:
If you have any questions or concerns before or during the group series, please feel free to reach out:

Andrea L. Metcalf, LSCSW, PMH-C

📞 913-963-0463
📧 andrea@htrkc.org
🌿 www.htrkc.org

We had an absolute blast at our Cowpokes Summer Camp last week! From daily horseback rides to fun crafts and hands-on le...
06/16/2025

We had an absolute blast at our Cowpokes Summer Camp last week! From daily horseback rides to fun crafts and hands-on lessons in horse care, our young cowpokes had a week full of learning, laughter, and unforgettable memories. 🤠✨

A huge thank you to all the amazing volunteers and helpers who made this camp possible — we couldn't have done it without you!❤️

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity!
06/03/2025

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity!

Spots are filling quickly for our 3 HOUR Equine-Assisted skills group for Adolescents between ages 8-13. Next session is FRIDAY JUNE 20th from 9am-12pm!

NOW SCHEDULING FOR JULY GROUP-Friday July 18th 9am-12pm.

***Note: Standard group rates are $100/hr per person, but we are able to bring this group to you at a 17% DISCOUNT of $250 for THREE HOURS of group therapy with the horses! 🐴

UPDATE: Home pending! Thank you to everyone for spreading the word!The adorable kitty pictured below showed up at Heartl...
06/02/2025

UPDATE: Home pending! Thank you to everyone for spreading the word!

The adorable kitty pictured below showed up at Heartland a couple of weeks ago. We believe that he was dumped on or nearby our property. Unfortunately, we are unable to keep him. We really need some helping finding this guy a good home.

A little bit about him....

Gender: Male, not neutered

Age: Believed to be young, older kitten

Temperament: Very sweet. He's a bit shy the first time you meet him. He warms up quickly. He now runs up to our staff for attention. He enjoys being held and petted. We feel he would make a great housecat.

Health: He was limping on his front right paw, but seems to be better now.

Although he was dumped, he is NOT feral! He definitely started his life off with people. Please help us find this sweet boy a loving home!❤️

We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Daughters of the British Empire in Kansas for their generous donations o...
05/27/2025

We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Daughters of the British Empire in Kansas for their generous donations of horse treats and bathing/ grooming supplies! Your kindness and support means so much to us—and especially to our four-legged friends, who are absolutely loving the pampering. Your thoughtful gifts help keep our horses happy, healthy, and well-cared-for. We’re deeply grateful!

Now through July 31st, Camp for Kids is generously matching all donations! Every dollar goes toward creating unforgettab...
05/13/2025

Now through July 31st, Camp for Kids is generously matching all donations! Every dollar goes toward creating unforgettable summer camp experiences—where kids ride horses, craft with creativity, and learn horsemanship skills. Help us make this summer one to remember!☀️

Follow the link to donate⬇️⬇️⬇️

Heartland Therapeutic Riding’s Horsemanship Camp is a week-long day camp for children ages 6-13 with and without special needs. The campers are divided into small groups allowing them to rotate through the following stations and experiences: Riding, horse care and management, crafts, and inclusive...

⭐️Volunteers of the Month⭐️➡️May 2025- John & Pam CowanShoutout to our amazing Volunteers of the Month—John and Pam! Joh...
05/06/2025

⭐️Volunteers of the Month⭐️
➡️May 2025- John & Pam Cowan

Shoutout to our amazing Volunteers of the Month—John and Pam! John’s out there keeping our place looking great, from w**d eating and mowing to taking care of the trails (and so much more). Pam puts in tons of time making Tux N’ Boots the best party around and still finds time to help out with adaptive riding lessons. We’re beyond lucky to have such dedicated, hardworking, and kind people on our team. Thank you both for everything you do—we appreciate you more than you know!❤️

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Overland Park, KS

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Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Inc. was founded because of the determination and drive of one mother who refused to accept that an individual with a disability should be excluded from horseback riding, because of their diagnosis. Literally proving where there is a will, there is a way. In 1977, Jean Baum established Heartland Therapeutic Riding after horseback riding was suggested as a potentially helpful (future) activity for her nine-month old daughter, who had special needs. Jean learned more about the benefits of therapeutic riding from Lida McGowan, who founded the Cheff Center for therapeutic riding, in Minnesota. After attending the lecture, Jean was convinced that the Kansas City area would greatly benefit from this type of center. After discovering a staunch opposition to the very idea of individuals with disabilities riding horses, Jean established the first therapeutic riding center in Kansas City. Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Inc. was one of the first therapeutic riding centers in the country, and has earned the status of PATH, Intl. Premier Accredited Center. Heartland currently serves more than 100 incredible riders and has a team of more than 120 amazing volunteers, yet we have never forgotten all of the hard work, determination and dedication that it took to get here. We are committed to helping individuals with disabilities through equine assisted activities and therapies. We strive to change lives, one ride at a time.