Our Equine Assisted Learning Programs

Equine Assisted learning at Pine Hill Ranch

Established in 2024, Healing Hooves is a 501c3 organization that uses the horse’s power to serve children and adults who benefit from the healing power of horses. We have partnered with the Pine Hill Ranch Equestrian Center to provide our equine-assisted services. Our licensed instructors use our herd of specially trained horses to facilitate growth and learning.

Centrally located in Little Rock, Pine Hill Ranch encompasses 250 acres of rolling pastures, a state-of-the-art barn with a climate-controlled conference room, restrooms, and a kitchenette. Reconnect with nature and yourself while you enjoy our peaceful facility and grounds. You will enjoy time outdoors (or in our covered arena) while learning more about yourself and others.

An equine-assisted learning is a unique experience for many and provides an incomparable educational opportunity.

Horse Powered Reading

Since 2012, Horse Powered Reading® has been giving hope to struggling readers by offering equine-assisted services and training for students, teachers, and equine professionals around the world.

Coaching, Team Building, Mindfulness, & Leadership

As a non-profit organization, we rely on the communities we serve to help support our mission. As an organization using horses, we have many unique expenses, as we are responsible for taking care of the horses. This allows us to provide exceptional treatment equine-assisted learning services and riding lessons. If you donate to Healing Hooves during one of our fundraising efforts, you can be confident that all money raised will be used to provide direct care for our horses and support of our programs, ensuring that we can continue caring for those we serve. Because of your support, costs for our students, clients, and families remain low, allowing us to serve many who cannot afford these specialized services elsewhere.

We offer hour long, 1/2-day, full-day, and 2-day experiences along with 6 week programs. If you are a Healthcare Professional and wish to refer clients, we encourage you to call our office at 501-366-8436.

Our programs are ideal for:

First Responders
Law Enforcement
Fire Departments
Healthcare Workers
Veterans

Women’s groups
Youth groups
Church groups
Fellow nonprofits

Teams
Families
Friends
Business leaders

Healing Hooves Equine Assisted Learning Programs

Leadership Development with Horses

Are you looking for something different, challenging, and fun for your next leadership development retreat? Then get out of the office and into the arena for an equine-assisted experiential workshop at Healing Hooves at Pine Hill Ranch.

Professional coaches and equine specialists will guide your group through a series of experiential activities with horses. Activities are customized for each group’s needs and desired outcomes. All activities are done from the ground, with no horseback riding. No horse experience is necessary.

Experiential equine learning activities are designed to:

Increase effective communication
Build trust
Expand leadership skills
Spark creative problem-solving
Identify challenges and opportunities for growth

Your workshop can include tie-ins with internationally recognized assessments like StrengthFinders and DiSC. In addition to the day-of activities, you’ll have pre- and post-workshop consultations with one of our staff, receive a written summary of the workshop learnings, and a 30-day follow-up call to assess long-term results.

We offer 1/2-day, full-day or 2-day experiences.

Call to reserve a date this fall for your group or team!

Mindfulness with Horses

During the Mindfulness with Horses workshop, you can relax, reset, and restore your balance in the presence of horses. Immerse yourself in the natural rhythm of the horses so that you open up space for self-reflection and discovery.

Mindfulness with Horses includes:

Sensory-rich connections with the horses that bring gentle noticing and releasing of tension, stress, and pain
Guided meditations with the horses that ground and open you to the present as well as the possible
Inviting a horse to walk and/or rest with you to build compassion for yourself and others

You’ll learn to connect and communicate in just a few hours using your body language, breath, energy, and intention.

Mindfulness with Horses experiences are intentionally small (6 participants) to maximize time with the horses.

If you want a more in-depth educational experience, ask about our 6-week Mindfulness Fitness Program.

The six-week program includes:

Daily mental fitness multi-sensory practice
Use of the Mental Fitness app
A weekly inspirational video

During in-person group gatherings at the Healing Hooves barn we will discuss the week’s successes and learnings and spend time with the horses to further your journey toward being happier, having better relationships, and being more productive. Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation discovery call with a coach.

Team Building with Horses

Are you seeking something unique, challenging, and fun for your next team-building retreat? Then get out of your workplace or school and into the arena for an equine-assisted experiential workshop at Healing Hooves at Pine Hill Ranch.

Professional coaches and equine specialists will guide your group through a series of experiential activities with horses. Activities are customized for each group’s needs and desired outcomes.

All activities are done from the ground, with no horseback riding. No horse experience is necessary.

Experiential equine learning activities are designed to:

Increase effective communication
Build trust
Expand leadership skills
Spark creative problem-solving
Identify challenges and opportunities for growth

We offer 1/2-day, full-day or 2-day experiences.

Call to reserve a date this fall for your group or team.

Coaching with Horses

Learn more about what you’ll gain from a Healing Hooves at Pine Hill Ranch equine-assisted coaching experience through our coaching with horses program.

Coaching with an experienced professional coach who will help you discover blind spots, perceptions, and behaviors that may be holding you back
Time to reflect on what you want for your life at work and home
Non-judgemental, instant feedback from a member of our herd about your way of being, both professionally and personally
Experiential one-to-one coaching to help you develop an action plan with achievable goals to help you grow.

If you are ready to try something new you are in the right place!

Horse Powered Reading

Students will learn about themselves through this program, which is geared toward children struggling to read. Learn more about this educational opportunity.

We take an integrative approach to learning by combining horses and children to improve anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns that may impede learning.

Click the link below and watch a short video on Horse Powered Reading.

Get out of the box and into the barn!

Riding Lessons

Pine Hill Ranch offers beginner through intermediate riding lessons for children and adults. Our experienced instructors will teach you the basics of horse care, grooming, and riding. English or Western – we do both!

Come get a solid foundation with us and we will help you become a confident horse person. No experience necessary!

Learn More

Our Staff

Jennifer Sanderson – Program Director

Read Bio

Jennifer Sanderson has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to serving something bigger than herself, with 15 years of military experience underscoring her dedication. Jennifer’s professional experience spans project, program, and personnel management across both the private and public sectors, making her a versatile and impactful leader. She has transitioned from a distinguished career in federal service—where she worked with the FBI and FEMA—to leading initiatives in at Healing Hooves here in Little Rock.

Her journey into the world of horses began at the age of 12 when she got her first horse – Sunshine. As a true animal lover, dogs and horses helped shape her into the person she is today, and she has experienced their healing power first-hand. After high school she became a working student for Warren-McMullin Dressage, now near Boston MA and Wellington, Florida. Since then, she has leased and owned horses and taught lessons. Her favorite disciplines are dressage and hunters. Jennifer has a passion for teaching and the learning process. She is continuing her equestrian education with certifications in Horse Powered Reading, Equine Assisted Learning, Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning, and a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor.

For over five years Jennifer worked as a live-in aide and personal assistant to Sarah, who has developmental and movement disorders and is nonverbal. In a culmination of her diverse background, now Jennifer channels her passion for service into the non-profit sector, combining her skills and passion to make a profound impact on individuals and communities, changing one life at a time.

Meet Martha Taylor – Lead EAL Facilitator

Read Bio

Martha Taylor founded EquiDiscovery, LLC, an equine-assisted learning and coaching practice. Martha and the herd have coached corporate teams, civic groups, boards of directors, and faith-based and non-profit teams who want to learn better communication and leadership skills – and have fun. In addition, she provides workshops for those who are interested in personal growth and development. A retired ordained United Methodist Deacon, Martha is certified as an equine specialist through The EAL Academy and the Equine Experiential Education Association. In addition, Martha has coaching certifications from the International Coach Federation and the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education.

“The journey in between what you once were and who you are now becoming is where the dance of life takes place.”

Barbara De Angelis

Contact Us

For more information on these programs

Healing Hooves

501-366-8436

See Hours

Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Tue 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Wed 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Thu 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Fri 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Sat 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Sun Closed

Drop us a line!