Changing Lives Through the Power of Horses, Hope, and Healing

Founded in 1971 and nestled on 12 acres in Woodside, the National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy (NCEFT) is internationally recognized as a leader in equine-assisted programs, providing life-changing and long-term healing for adults and children living with physical, cognitive, psychological, and behavioral disabilities.

“Partnering with horses to create a healing experience is uniquely powerful,” says Nancy Contro, NCEFT Executive Director. “Just grooming a horse can be regulating, bringing down blood pressure and reducing anxiety.”

NCEFT is the only Bay Area facility that offers such a breadth of equine-assisted programs, which include Therapy and Adaptive Riding & Horsemanship, as well as their newest area of programming, Mental Health and Resilience. Each program is designed to provide clients physical and emotional benefits and measurable outcomes.

Therapy is medically-prescribed Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy, incorporating the horses’ movement into treatment instead of being inside a clinic using inanimate equipment. Clients diagnosed with physical, cognitive, and neuromuscular disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, down syndrome, or autism, sit astride horses in many positions. Therapy sessions enable clients to develop core strength, balance, and stability, all essential in functioning in their daily lives, says Contro. 

Adaptive Riding & Horsemanship offers recreational horseback riding and horsemanship lessons adapted for the individual’s abilities. 

Mental Health and Resilience programs help people dealing with trauma and other mental health concerns. Clients range from individuals with chronic illness such as cancer to first responders and military veterans to youth and adults experiencing anxiety and depression. 

Contro recalls a breakthrough that happened in a workshop for adolescents. One teen with severe anxiety initially refused to get on the horse. With the other participants encouraging him to try, he finally said he would “sit on a horse, but that’s all.” After some calm breaths atop the horse, he quietly said, “Okay, let’s go.” His ride incorporated reading affirmations and experiencing the five senses on a sensory trail. When it ended, he said it was the most fantastic experience he’d ever had and all of his peers were very excited for him. 

“It’s tremendously powerful when the horses, the outdoor experience, and mindfulness all come together to create a safe and powerful experience for people,” says Contro.

“We’re doing life-changing work,” Contro adds. “We are improving the lives of people every single day.”