San Antonio Community Resource Directory
Open T.R.A.I.L. Ranch (Nonprofit )

Open T.R.A.I.L. Ranch is a 501(c)3 Non Profit Therapeutic Horsemanship Center located in Boerne, Texas for those with developmental, emotional and physical needs of all kinds.

We provide equine assisted services to children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges in San Antonio, Boerne, and the surrounding areas.

Individuals who benefit from our services have diagnoses such as Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Depression, Anxiety, history of trauma, ADD/ADHD, Fragile X, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, Developmental Delays, emotional and cognitive disorders, as well as speech, hearing and vision impairments. Our instructors are PATH certified, accomplished equestrians, and have extensive training to instruct participants with special needs.

Our programs include Adaptive Riding and Equine Assisted Learning incorporating Interactive Vaulting.

Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM Tuesday: 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM Thursday: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM Saturday: CLOSED Sunday: CLOSED
Kate Vasquez - Executive Director
Amber Wodarz-O'Hara - Program Director

Adaptive riding is a recreational activity for individuals with disabilities focused on teaching horsemanship skills, specifically through riding, in ways adapted to meet the needs of the individual. PATH, Intl teach lessons. We have certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors. The benefits of adaptive riding are seen in the lives of our clients in the areas of education, health, leisure, sports, and recreation.

Riding on the back of a horse rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a way that can be compared to a human’s movement. This helps riders with physical disabilities display improvement in muscle strength, balance, and flexibility.

Besides the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding, individuals also enjoy accessible and inclusive recreational opportunities.

Ages: 4+.

Interested in Adaptive Riding?

Please fill out our Participant Intake Form to join our waiting list. When a spot opens, an OTR staff member will contact you.

Pricing per 1 Hour Session

  • $45 – 3 or More Participants
  • $50 – 2 Participants
  • $65 – Private
  • $100 – Initial Evaluation to Determine Eligibility

Open T.R.A.I.L. does not bill insurance. All Therapeutic Riding Lessons are Private Pay.

Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

Kate Vasquez
(210) 367-8248
Amber Wodarz-O'Hara Send email
Updated within the last 3 months.

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) sessions at Open TRAIL Ranch (OTR) are completely ground-based (no riding) and can consist of learning to connect with a horse through grooming, leading, lunging, round pen work, and much more. A PATH, Intl, conducts EAL lessons—Equine Specialist in Mental Health Learning.

Our EAL program here at OTR is centered on the concept that by building a working relationship with a horse, any participant can develop essential skills that can translate to all aspects of their daily lives. The building of the relationship is the main focus of our program. Our trained and certified EAL Practitioners facilitate this relationship and assist the participant in recognizing the non-verbal communication that horses use daily.

Horses, being herd animals, react strongly to the body language and behavior of those around them. The horse’s reactivity directly relates to the inputs they are receiving from the participant, acting almost as a living mirror reflecting the emotions and actions of the participant back onto them. This can lead to self-reflection in the participant, which is essential for personal growth.

Occasionally, lessons will consist of work on the horse as determined by the instructor.

Ages: 6+.

Interested in Equine Assisted Learning?

Please fill out our Participant Intake Form to join our waiting list. When a spot opens, an OTR staff will contact you.

Pricing per 1 Hour Session

  • $50 – 2 or More Participants
  • $70 – Private
  • $100 – Initial Evaluation to Determine Eligibility 

Open T.R.A.I.L. does not bill insurance. All Equine Assisted Learning Lessons are Private Pay.

Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

Kate Vasquez Send email
(210) 367-8248
Amber Wodarz-O'Hara Send email
Updated within the last 3 months.

Open T.R.A.I.L. Ranch strives to make equine-assisted services affordable and accessible to all who can benefit. One way we do this is through Participant Scholarships. 

The resources for Open T.R.A.I.L. Scholarships are limited and depend on available donated funds. We try to provide financial assistance to those participants who cannot afford the fee. However, we request that participants make any possible payments before the end of the session.

Scholarships are awarded based on need and decided by the Open T.R.A.I.L. Scholarship Committee. Financial assistance is given by session, Spring, Summer, or Fall. Applicants must apply for each session to be considered for a scholarship.

Scholarship Application Deadlines:

  • December 31 for the Spring Session
  • April 30 for Summer Session
  • August 15 for the Fall Session

Click here for a complete list of eligibility requirements and to download the scholarship application.

Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

Kate Vasquez
(210) 367-8248
Amber Wodarz-O'Hara Send email
Updated within the last 3 months.

Open T.R.A.I.L. Ranch is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The support of our community, partner organizations, businesses, and individuals is vital to continuing our mission to serve individuals with disabilities through equine-assisted services.

Click here to make a donation.

Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

Kate Vasquez
(210) 367-8248
Amber Wodarz-O'Hara Send email
Updated within the last 3 months.

Volunteers are the hands and feet of our organization. We could not provide the services to our participants without our volunteer team's care, dedication, and support. If you want to volunteer with Open T.R.A.I.L., please see the many ways you can volunteer with us below.

HELPING HAND
Provide assistance with projects (big or small) or daily chores to help maintain and improve the center—the perfect job for groups or volunteers under age 14, with parental supervision.

Requirements for a helping hand include:

  • Complete Helping Hands Training 
  • Attentive to instructions
  • Do not mind getting dirty
  • Physically capable of assigned task

SIDE WALKER
Helps engage the rider during the lesson and maintain the rider's safety by providing physical and emotional support. No previous experience is necessary; we will happily provide all training.

Requirements for sidewalkers include:

  • 14 years or older
  • Attended a Helping Hands Training
  • Complete Side Walker Training
  • Able to walk for 30-60 minutes
  • Enjoy interacting with the rider

HORSE HANDLER
Grooms, tacks, and leads the horse during the lesson to maintain its safety. Horse experience is a plus! We will provide all training for this position!

Requirements for horse handlers include:

  • 14 years or older
  • Complete Helping Hands Training
  • Complete Side Walker Training
  • Complete at least 10 hours as a Side Walker
  • Complete Horse Handler Training
  • Able to walk for 30-60 minutes
  • Attentive to surroundings

Click here for more information on volunteering.

To sign up for volunteer training, please email [email protected].

Hours
Monday: 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 12:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Saturday: CLOSED
Sunday: CLOSED

Kate Vasquez
(210) 367-8248
Amber Wodarz-O'Hara Send email
Updated within the last 3 months.