Founded in 2015, Southern Reins Center for Equine Therapy is a nonprofit organization serving children and adults with disabilities and hardship throughout the Mid-South. 

 

Using the talent and dedication of our highly trained staff, certified professionals, volunteers and trained therapy horses, our programs offer unique experiences where ability is celebrated every day. Through the healing power of horses, participants are able to turn struggle into success as they build strength, develop confidence, and achieve short and long-term goals to enhance their daily life skills.

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Our equestrian facility is located in Collierville, TN on 30 beautiful acres in the heart of Memphis horse country.  We provide services to children and adults representing 39 municipalities and 19 counties across Western Tennessee and Northern Mississippi, and we are honored to help hundreds of people with special needs each year at the farm.

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Southern Reins offers equine-assisted services designed to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and hardship including Down syndrome, autism, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, amputation, cognitive and physical disabilities, trauma, and more. Working with horses can spark unparalleled change for people with special needs - encouraging individual goal achievement and personal growth that fosters incredible breakthroughs to build confidence, enhance physical ability, and improve cognitive function and communication.

 

We offer adaptive horseback riding, Occupational Therapy incorporating Hippotherapy, Making Strides Recreation Therapy Program, PATH Intl. Equine Services for Heroes Program, Silver Stirrups Program,  Unbridled Horsemanship, TEACH Program, Pony Pals, HorsePOWER Workforce Learning, and equine assisted psychotherapy. We offer sessions throughout the year and all activities are conducted by PATH, Intl. certified riding instructors, AHA certified therapists and mental health professionals.

Volunteers are the core of our program, and Southern Reins has numerous volunteer opportunities available, including direct program support, barn help, equine care, special events, special projects and internships. 

 

Volunteering at Southern Reins provides vital assistance to support our participants, care for our horses and our facility, and the opportunity to connect with others and make new friends. Volunteers play a critical role in our program, and make our community a better place.

 

We have trained more than 1,000 volunteers since our inception who have contributed more than 55,000 hours of service at Southern Reins from 2015 through 2023. The dedication of time, talent, and encouragement provided by our volunteer corp is a treasured resource that contributes to the success of every participant we serve, and we are grateful beyond measure to every one of our volunteers for supporting our mission in such a meaningful way.