About Us
A partnership of horses and humans coming together to deliver mental wellness in a welcoming and healing environment.
In the heart of Saratoga Springs, New York, you will find a special place where horses and humans come together, and magic can happen through trust and mindfulness. A sanctuary exists here among the horses creating a holistic and restorative environment.
The facilities encourage interactions with the horses as part of a healing and wellness state of mind. These horses are part of our team and play a vital role in self-exploration. We would not be able to maintain these services without the generous support of our donors and community.
Help keep our horses and programs possible.
Our Mission
Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga (THS) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization supporting second careers for retired racehorses in leading safe and meaningful lives. These horses improve the mental health and emotional wellness that strengthens our community through therapeutic programming and the horse-human connection.
About Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga (THS)
Our mantra is caring for retired racehorses to facilitate therapeutic wellness. We match humans in need with horses that provide healing. This unique environment is managed, and programs are developed by an exceptional group of dedicated professionals.
THS works in partnership with local certified equine therapists who provide Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) to our community’s most vulnerable populations. This includes adults and children with mental illness and social difficulties, veterans, families and couples, victims of domestic violence, and others in need of care.
To increase our impact on the community, THS has partnered with ECS Psychological Services, P.C. to improve access to equine-assisted therapy in Upstate New York.
Our Values
Safety: Kindness, caring, compassion, physical and emotional safety for all humans AND horses, respect, inclusiveness
Intentional Evolution: Adaptable, collaborative, quality/integrity, flexible and not compromising standards while we grow
Approachability: Community impact, connection, collaboration, acceptance
EQUUS Foundation:
View Guidelines for Organizations Conducting Equine Assisted Services (EAS)
All organizations must publicly attest that the interactions between their equines and people are mutually beneficial and conducted in accordance with the Guidelines for Human-Equine Interactions.
What is Equine-Assisted Mental Health Therapy?
Equine-Assisted Mental Health Therapy is a clinical service that emphasizes the partnership between horses and humans. Participants work with a licensed mental health clinician throughout treatment to reach their individual goals in therapy. By including interactions with equines in the therapeutic process, equine-assisted sessions offer a pure and nonjudgmental relationship between horse and person to help participants work through challenges, make positive changes in their life, reduce symptoms, and improve their overall wellbeing. As deeply sentient and intuitive beings, equines offer a unique experience in therapy where participants can grow and change in a safe and supportive space.
Why rescue retired racehorses?
Horses typically only race until they are 5-6 years old, and their life expectancy is 25-30 years. While many horses end their racing careers healthy enough to transition into a second career under saddle, others sustain injuries over the course of their racing years that prevent them from finding a new job in mounted disciplines. All of our horses come to us with major injuries or permanent disabilities that limit their prospects and make them difficult to rehome. This leaves them at-risk of ending up in neglectful situations or being sent to slaughter. Despite their physical limitations, these horses are a perfect fit for our unmounted therapy program.
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What is Equine-Assisted Mental Health Therapy?
Equine-Assisted Mental Health Therapy is a clinical service that emphasizes the partnership between horses and humans. Participants work with a licensed mental health clinician throughout treatment to reach their individual goals in therapy. By including interactions with equines in the therapeutic process, equine-assisted sessions offer a pure and nonjudgmental relationship between horse and person to help participants work through challenges, make positive changes in their life, reduce symptoms, and improve their overall wellbeing. As deeply sentient and intuitive beings, equines offer a unique experience in therapy where participants can grow and change in a safe and supportive space.
Why rescue retired racehorses?
Horses typically only race until they are 5-6 years old, and their life expectancy is 25-30 years. While many horses end their racing careers healthy enough to transition into a second career under saddle, others sustain injuries over the course of their racing years that prevent them from finding a new job in mounted disciplines. All of our horses come to us with major injuries or permanent disabilities that limit their prospects and make them difficult to rehome. This leaves them at-risk of ending up in neglectful situations or being sent to slaughter. Despite their physical limitations, these horses are a perfect fit for our unmounted therapy program.