Where Magic Happens and Spirits Grow

Heartland Horse Heroes is a 501c3, not for profit organization whose mission is to provide equestrian activities for individuals who have mental, physical, emotional, social challenges or learning disabling conditions.  Our vision is to offer quality equine opportunities, in a state of the art, Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) Premier Accredited facility, to participants of all ages with disabilities in a ten county region of Central and Southside Virginia.

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Heartland Horse Heroes began as a division of Healing Paws and Claws, Inc, a 501c3 organization and Delta Society Affiliate, founded in 2002, which provided pet therapy in Central and Southside Virginia. Many of our clients expressed the desire to ride the horses.  So, the organization went through 24 months of research and training to begin a pilot program to provide those riding lessons that were requested from our clients.  As a result of a successful therapeutic riding program sponsored by Healing Paws and Claws, the organization changed its name to Heartland Horse Heroes, and has focused its’ mission toward therapeutic riding.  

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On November 14, 2009, Heartland Horse Heroes received a perfect score and met 100 percent of all PATH standards.  HHH is now titled as a “PATH Premier Accredited Center”.

 

In 2010 Heartland Horse Heroes expanded its program to include Sprouse’s Corner Ranch in Buckingham, as LaRue Sprouse Dowd completed her PATH certification as a riding instructor. In the summer of 2010 Sprouse’s Corner Ranch held its first session of therapeutic riding lessons with 5 riders and over 30 volunteers participating.

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Today, Heartland Horse Heroes provides fall and spring sessions for children in Buckingham county as well as private lessons throughout the year. We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to continue our mission and provide safe, fun, and beneficial opportunities for our community.