LEAD WITH HORSES

LEAD with Horses’ (LEAD) core belief is that lives can be bettered through meaningful interactions with horses. Combining proven educational and therapeutic approaches with the powerful modality of horses, supports, encourages, and empowers individuals of all abilities. Our philosophy is to provide person-centered and trauma-informed programming to meet the goals of every individual participating in the program. LEAD is the only organization in Nevada with the ability to provide multiple equine assisted services: Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Counseling (EAP), Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) for Youth Development, and Adaptive Riding.

Since our founding in 2015 we have been delivering quality equine assisted services. What started as an educational and therapeutic program for children quickly grew to serve more members of our community with a variety of programs. With the recent acquisition of the Center for Adaptive Riding and the purchase of a 10 acre property in Washoe Valley, we are poised to be the largest equine assisted service organization in Nevada and the only one to offer our unique three center model:

Center for Adaptive Riding: For individuals with physical disabilities, using horse movement to improve motor skills, balance, and coordination.

Center for Equine Assisted Counseling: Supporting youth, adults, and families facing behavioral health challenges such as trauma, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

Center for Equine Assisted Youth Development: Offering after-school programs, summer camps, and mentoring opportunities, empowering youth to develop life skills, build resilience, and form positive connections.

Each center provides a range of programming and is led by experienced professionals certified and licensed in their respective fields.

We strive to keep our programs affordable for families while maintaining a high level of professionalism. The majority of clients pay little to no fees to participate. We continually work to improve and increase equine assisted services for under-resourced families.

LEAD addresses the societal increase in behavioral health and disability service challenges with a comprehensive approach, utilizing guided, ground-based and mounted equine activities to support mental, emotional, physical, and social health. EAP, EAL, and Adaptive Riding focus on the participant’s needs, incorporating specific goals set by the education or treatment team. Equine assisted activities address a wide range of mental health and human development challenges, working from a strength-based perspective rooted in the core belief that every individual has something valuable to bring to the experience and our community.

By building confidence, enhancing problem-solving skills, and increasing emotional capacity, LEAD helps participants reduce anxiety, develop self-awareness, and cultivate a strong sense of agency. Empowered by these skills, our participants learn to make positive choices that influence their actions, responses, and overall well-being. Whether it’s a child with ADHD, an individual with cerebral palsy, a teenager struggling with anxiety, or a veteran experiencing depression, research shows that individuals who participate in equine assisted services experience physical and emotional rewards.