Back to school is in full-swing and so is Jasper Ridge Farm with our HorseBuddies Program that is 100% in-person this year! HorseBuddies serves special needs students from local schools in our community. This is a unique experiential learning program where horses provide the mode of learning. This program increases physical activity, and improves emotional and social well-being.

HorseBuddies participants come to the farm for 2-3 consecutive weeks to learn and build upon the previous week's skills. Two or three volunteers are required for each student riding. They are aided in mounting the horse, learning how to ask the horse to go, stop and turn. The students ride in a group of four peers in our large covered riding arena. When students are not riding, their group rotates through other activities that include grooming horses, interacting with our gentle farm animals, and doing a creative art project.

Jasper Ridge Farm's Mission:

Inspired by the comforting power of animals, Jasper Ridge Farm provides a special experience for people in need. Serving San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, we provide programs for children with special needs or facing life threatening illness, families dealing with homelessness or grief, youth struggling with mental health issues, veterans and active military, many whom suffer from PTSD or traumatic brain injury, adults with disabilities and incarcerated women.

Support HorseBuddies for Local Special Needs Students

By Jasper Ridge Farm

Support HorseBuddies for Local Special Needs Students

Team Members