USU Equine Experience

Equine Assisted Services

Utah State University's Equine Experience program provides equine-assisted services to enrich the lives of individuals with disabilities and train future professionals. The program leverages the powerful connection between humans and horses to support physical, emotional, and developmental well-being. It offers a space for therapists to administer treatments, students to gain hands-on experience, and researchers to advance scientific understanding. By emphasizing the therapeutic and societal value of horses, the program enhances both human and equine well-being. Through research and education, USU promotes evidence-based practices to improve equine-assisted services for individuals and communities.

Public Website

Programs Offered

Contact Karl Hoopes

Programs Offered

Adaptive Horsemanship
Related to the broad area of horsemanship, equine professionals may offer four distinct non-therapy services that are adapted from traditional equine disciplines of horseback riding, driving, and vaulting. These include adaptive equestrian sport, adaptive riding, driving and interactive vaulting.
Learn More

Equine Assisted Learning
Related to the broad area of learning, specially trained or certified professionals may incorporate horses in three distinct non-therapy services: equine-assisted learning in education, equine-assisted learning in organizations and equine-assisted learning in personal development.
Learn More

The Valor Detachment
The Valor Detachment is a mounted equestrian drill team made up of Veterans and active-duty military members who do flag presentations at rodeos, horse shows, and other Western lifestyle events. All members receive QPR training and promote the "22 a Day" message at flag presentations to raise awareness for veteran suicide.
Serving Cache County.




             
Contact Makenna Pahlke

Horse-Powered Reading
Horse Powered Reading® integrates social-emotional learning with academics; thus allowing students to see and experience reading with their entire mind, body, and emotions by creating metaphors for the skills involved in reading. Students interact with horses from the ground, while using toys and props to identify obstacles and learn five critical reading skills: phonemic awareness, decoding, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. See the online Horse-Powered Reading course here. 
Counties served Cache, Box Elder, Rich, Davis, Weber, Salt Lake, Piute, Wayne, Garfield, and Sevier.
Contact Allie Garlick

Ride Utah!

Ride Utah! is an equine extension program that offers trail rides for military personnel and a guest. The rides take place across Utah from summer to fall and are designed to provide relaxation and enjoyment. Each event includes a two-hour trail ride, lunch, and a moderated discussion on military family issues. The program is hosted by county extension offices in collaboration with community and military support groups. Ride Utah! has successfully enhanced emotional well-being and strengthened community connections.
Learn More

Drive Utah!

Drive Utah! is an outdoor horse-driving experience where military families can enjoy time in our wagon and drive up a canyon with our harnessed team. Great for families with children too young to ride, or for those where riding is physically not possible. Currently only offered in Cache Valley.


   
Learn More

 

 


Partnerships
  • CHA
    Certified Horsemanship Association
  • PATH International
    Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International
  • HEEAL, United
    Human-Equine Empowerment and Learning, United

Opportunities Available

Social Media
USU Equine Experience





          

 

Program Leadership

           

Program Members

Trophy icon       Award icon      AWARDS    Trophy icon     Award icon  

 

 

 


 

If you have updates to this page, please contact Kristin Hoch at kristin.hoch@usu.edu.