Monterey Bay Horsemanship & Therapeutic Center
Founded almost three decades ago, Monterey Bay Horsemanship & Therapeutic Center offers Adult Day and Respite programs with person-centered care in a safe, nurturing, bucolic environment on the bay west of Watsonville. We have clients from Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and San Benito counties with transportation often arranged by SARC.
Our mission is to support people with disabilities at all levels of behavioral, emotional, and physical needs. Clients include those with diagnoses of autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, MS, Epilepsy, Tourette syndrome, and para/quadriplegic among any other diagnosis, including high-needs clients of all ages.
Among other enrichment activities, MBHTC focuses on equine-assisted therapies, which have proven to have a profound effect on the most dramatic cases.
After-school, weekday, and weekend programs are offered, as well as summer-day and overnight camps.
On this all-inclusive site, there is also an official center for the US Pony Club and Encore Equestrian Vaulters.
Come and visit. We’ll give you a tour.
Young Adult Program
The cornerstone of MBHTC’s work is our young adult program for individuals with disabilities. We serve clients with autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, MS, and quadri/paraplegics. We serve private clientele as well as being proud partners of the San Andreas Regional Center. Clients of our program participate in a wide range of daily activities, including mounted and unmounted equine therapy, horse grooming, art activities, transition-to-work skills, and field trips. The center of this work is connecting clients with their therapists, the horses. The physical and emotional connection between our horses and their clients is transformative and affirming.
MBHTC’s program stands out from other respite day programs due to its high focus on community integration. At the barn, clients of our young adult program work, play, and learn side-by-side with our Pony Club members. Clients of both programs are able to bond over their love of all things equestrian, which provides high-quality socialization for all of our clients. The result of this integration is a pathway to employment, closer relationships, and greater interpersonal skills for all of our clients.
For questions on the Young Adult Program, please contact Anne Pearson, [email protected]
Summer is the most exciting time at MBHTC for one reason: Camp! MBHTC’s Summer Camps run every year from June through August in two-week blocks. Camps include daily riding instruction, trail rides, vaulting, horse theory, arts and crafts, tractor rides, and more! Scholarships to attend camp are available through the Kay Trust.
For information about Scholarships for 2022 contact [email protected]