Hope on Horseback Therapeutic Riding Center

For more than 40 years, Hope on Horseback has been a place where healing begins, confidence grows, and lives are quietly transformed. Through our therapeutic riding and equine-assisted learning programs, we serve children and adults across Erie County who are navigating physical disabilities, emotional challenges, trauma, and life transitions.

There is something powerful that happens in the presence of a horse. Riders who struggle to trust begin to open up. Individuals rebuilding after trauma find a sense of safety and connection. Children gain strength, coordination, and confidence—often achieving things they never thought possible. These moments may seem small from the outside, but to our riders and their families, they are life-changing.

None of this happens alone. Every rider is supported by a team of trained volunteers and a carefully selected therapy horse, creating a circle of encouragement, stability, and care. Together, they make each session not just a lesson, but an experience of growth, dignity, and joy.

During Erie Gives, your support directly sustains this work. It allows us to welcome every individual who could benefit from our programs—regardless of their ability to pay—and ensures our horses receive the high-quality care they need to continue serving as partners in healing.

When you give to Hope on Horseback, you’re not just supporting a program—you’re investing in confidence, independence, and hope for individuals in our community who need it most.