The Coastal Therapeutic Riding Program

Our mission

The Coastal Therapeutic Riding Program provides adaptive equine activities and therapies for individuals with special needs. We serve approximately 50 clients in regular weekly sessions and often double that with special groups. We partner with several agencies in our region, including schools and universities, community groups, veterans and military groups, wellness programs and rehabilitation programs. We are the only program of our kind in southeastern North Carolina. We were founded in 1999 and continue to serve some of the same clients whose families helped create the program. We serve individuals of all age ranges, races, ethnicities, income levels and abilities. Our client’s special needs range from physical disabilities, developmental issues, to learning difficulties and traumatic experiences.

Impact story

"She called Ruby's name — and Ruby came." Two years ago, I was desperate. My daughter Scarlett had a speech delay, and I'd tried everything I knew to try. I didn't know if anything would actually help until we found this program. Scarlett started once-a-week sessions, and almost right away I could tell something was different — she wanted to go. She lit up around her therapist and her favorite horse, and within a few weeks she was saying words out loud while she rode, chatting with the horse, playing games that got her talking without her even realizing she was working on it. But the moment I'll never forget happened on a trail walk. We stopped by the fence to see Ruby, a horse who's notoriously shy and doesn't come to anyone. The therapist encouraged Scarlett to call her name. Scarlett called out "Ruby" — and Ruby actually lifted her head and looked at her. They asked Scarlett to call again, louder. She did, with this bold, confident voice I'd never heard from her before. Ruby started walking toward the fence. Scarlett was so excited she called out again, this time so sweetly, and Ruby walked the rest of the way to be right next to her. My daughter's voice reached that horse. I stood there crying — we all were. That's what this program gave us: not just speech progress, but proof, right in front of us, that her voice mattered and it could reach someone.

Organization details

EIN

56-2149290

Founded

1999

Headquarters

Wilmington, NC

Website

https://coastalriding.org

Listed on Jubily

7/17/2026