Open My World Therapeutic Riding

About the Organization

Organization category

Public Charity

Country / State

United States / Texas

Mission

“A compassionate space where humans and horses connect,
fostering healing, growth and well-being”

Programs or services

Open My World Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Leander, Texas, dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, and seniors, through the transformative power of horses.
Founded in 2008, Open My World has served Central Texas for over 18 years, providing high-quality Equine-Assisted Services (EAS) to children and adults with a wide range of physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities. As a PATH International Member Accredited Center, we uphold the highest standards of safety, professionalism, and program delivery.
Our programs serve individuals living with autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, ADHD, developmental delays, anxiety, PTSD, and age-related cognitive decline. Through both mounted and unmounted activities, participants develop improved balance, coordination, confidence, emotional regulation, and social skills.
In recent years, Open My World has expanded its programming to meet growing community needs through innovative services such as:
• Advanced Adaptive Riding Program – improving physical strength and coordination for our more advanced levels of riding equitation
• Horse Powered Reading – supporting literacy and confidence in struggling readers
• H.A.P.Y. Mobile Program (Hug-A-Pony) – bringing miniature horses directly to underserved populations
Our mobile outreach program has been particularly impactful for seniors and individuals with disabilities who are unable to travel to our facility. Through visits to memory care centers, hospice facilities, and special needs programs, we have witnessed firsthand the profound emotional and cognitive benefits that occur when individuals interact with horses.
Open My World remains committed to expanding access to equine-assisted services, ensuring that individuals of all abilities and life stages can experience the healing, connection, and joy that horses provide.

Detailed programs

ADAPTIVE HORSEBACK RIDING
Our Adaptive Riding Program offers much more than horseback riding. Led by specially trained and PATH International Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors, each lesson combines riding, horsemanship, and interactive activities that are tailored to the unique strengths and goals of every participant. Riders build balance, coordination, strength, communication, confidence, and independence while developing a special bond with our therapy horses.

HORSE POWERED READING
This innovative early literacy program serves low- and moderate-income children from ages four and up, by combining evidence-informed literacy instruction with meaningful interactions alongside our miniature horses.

STABLE STORIES is a free community literacy program that gives readers of all ages and abilities the opportunity to read aloud to one of our gentle therapy horses in a calm, supportive environment.

H.A.P.Y. (Hug-A-Pony) MOBILE OUTREACH PROGRAM
The H.A.P.Y. program is our new mobile outreach program that brings the healing power of horses directly to autism, memory care and hospice communities throughout Central Texas.

PATH TO PURPOSE
This program trains future instructors through hands-on mentorship, expanding the workforce and increasing access to life-changing equine-assisted services.

Target Audience

We serve children and adults with a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges, including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, ADHD, developmental delays, anxiety, and PTSD. In addition, we reach senior citizens in retirement and memory care communities, helping to reduce isolation and foster joy through meaningful interactions with our special horses.
Our Adaptive Riding Program combines mounted and unmounted activities led by specially trained and certified instructors, which can help improve balance, coordination, strength, and motor planning skills while providing sensory stimulation. In 2025, we introduced Horse Powered Reading, an unmounted program with the horses, trained by certified facilitators, which supports literacy and self-confidence in early and struggling readers. To further expand access, we have recently launched the H.A.P.Y. (Hug-A-Pony) Mobile Program, a community outreach initiative that brings our miniature horses, Thunder and Lightning, directly to autism, memory care and hospice centers, providing comfort and connection to individuals and groups who are unable to travel to our ranch.

Geographic Focus

United States, Texas (USA), Travis County (TX), Williamson County (TX), Austin (TX), Burnet (TX), Cedar Park (TX), Georgetown (TX), Lago Vista (TX), Leander (TX), Liberty Hill (TX)

Current projects

GOLDEN HOOVES
Golden Hooves engages and supports community residents by bringing meaningful, interactive equine-assisted experiences directly to seniors in memory care and senior communities, who may otherwise have limited opportunities for social connection, enrichment, and therapeutic engagement. The program is intentionally designed to meet participants where they are, both physically and emotionally, removing barriers that often prevent older adults from accessing specialized wellness programs.

Golden Hooves brings our sweet miniature horses, Thunder and Lightning, directly to memory care and senior living communities, creating moments of joy, connection, and memory for residents who can no longer visit us. As outside recreational and therapeutic programs continue to decline due to staffing and budget challenges, our visits provide meaningful social interaction, sensory engagement, and comfort for seniors who too often experience isolation and limited access to enriching experiences.

Organization goals

Open My World needs our forever home! We are in search of a donated space of 6-15 acres, either long term lease or donated property within the Leander , TX area.

Leadership

JOCELYN FRANKLIN- Executive Director

Funding Needs

Grant categories you're seeking

Aging and Seniors, Capital Funding, Children, Community Services, Disabilities, Financial Assistance, Health and Medical, In-Kind Support, Literacy and Libraries, Mental Health, Operating Support, Quality of Life, Youth and At-Risk Youth

Funding needs

At the heart of every program is the health and well-being of our therapy horses. Many of our horses have come from previous careers in mounted patrol, polo, showing, or other demanding environments and now serve in deeply meaningful second careers helping vulnerable individuals heal and grow. These horses are not simply program animals, they are trusted partners, teachers, and caregivers.

As demand for our services continues to grow, so do the costs associated with maintaining a healthy and safe therapy herd. Rising hay prices, feed costs, veterinary expenses, and farrier services create increasing financial pressure for small nonprofits like ours. This funding would directly support the daily and long-term care of our horses, including hay, grain, supplements, veterinary care, vaccinations, dental care, farrier services, and emergency medical needs.

Funding would help ensure that our horses remain healthy, comfortable, and emotionally suited for the important work they do every day with children, seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities throughout our community.

Over the past two years, Open My World has experienced significant growth in programming, community partnerships, volunteer engagement, and participant enrollment. We have expanded our Horse Powered Reading program, launched new mobile outreach initiatives with our miniature horses Thunder and Lightning, increased mental health programming, and continued serving families who often have limited access to affordable, non-traditional therapeutic services. Your support would not only protect the welfare of our horses but also strengthen the sustainability and impact of the programs they make possible.

Website & Social Media