Ebony Horsewomen (EHI), one of the 29 organizations in US Equestrian’s Community Outreach Program, is a one-of-a-kind urban riding center located in Hartford, Conn. serving the community’s youth, families, adults, and military veterans. 

About Ebony Horsewomen 

EHI was founded in 1984 with a vision of giving inner-city youth access to the same opportunities, resources, equine-based programming, and equine-assisted therapy as their suburban counterparts. Now, founder and President/CEO Patricia Kelly has surpassed her original goal, with EHI becoming the regional leader in providing culturally competent equine assisted therapy and psychotherapy for multiple age ranges. “Children in the inner city face a tremendous amount of trauma,” said Kelly, describing how the services offered at Ebony Horsewomen help children work through their trauma in a safe learning environment.   

“When people ask about horses in the area, they point to Ebony Horsewomen,” said Kelly, a U.S. Marine Corp Vietnam-era veteran and African American cowgirl. Operating from Hartford’s historic 693-acre landmark, Keney Park, EHI’s campus has spacious stables with indoor and outdoor riding rings for both public lessons and advanced jumping and dressage team training, as well as 25 miles of trails throughout the park. 

EHI’s mission is to bring people and horses together to help with a variety of emotional, behavioral, neurological, and developmental health issues. Through its different programs, HEAL, LEARN, and RIDE, clients experience the joy of horses in an environment designed to promote healing, emotional growth, and learning.  

HEAL 

EHI’s Heal program helps participants connect and build trust through therapeutic services and professional development. Therapeutic services include Culturally Competent Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (CEAP) and therapy for veterans who may be experiencing trauma and anxiety. CEAP is used to help with a variety of mental health issues. Clients and horses are paired with licensed mental health professionals and horse specialists to promote healing, emotional growth, and learning. 

EHI’s Training and Resource Center emphasizes cultural competency, diversity, and inclusion through several professional development programs like Culturally Competent Equine Psychotherapy Continuing Education (CEU), training and workshops throughout the year, college internships, and the GALLOP Mental Health Mentoring and Training Program.  

LEARN 

The Learn program is designed for children ages five through 17, offering opportunities to connect with nature and be involved in their local equine community throughout the year. This includes programs such as an eight-week Summer Day Camp where children engage in team sports, horseback riding (both English and Western), and hands-on activities to grow in confidence, leadership, and self-esteem; the Weekend Academy, where youth learn about a wide variety of subjects ranging from animals to public speaking to promote quality life experiences; the Junior Mounted Patrol (JMP) where participants, no matter their experience level, can learn western riding skills by serving as park rangers for Keney Park while receiving training in leadership skills, conflict management, and environmental awareness; and the Leadership Academy & Riding Team, a training program that provides English riding and beginner level dressage training for girls. The Academy also provides travel opportunities to horse shows and other events, along with training for educational paths and future careers.  

RIDE 

Through EHI’s Ride program, clients can take part in individual and group lessons in both English and Western disciplines taught by experienced instructors. No experience is needed as lessons are customized to experience level, but riders must be at least five years of age to participate. During the warm weather, lessons are given in the outdoor show ring, but EHI has a large heated indoor arena for the cold months.  

EHI also offers riding for therapy, an equine-assisted activity shown to improve balance, strength, and motor coordination for the rider, while decreasing stress and anxiety. Through this program, Kelly often sees riders form emotional bonds with the horses they ride and sees improvement in riders’ cognitive and social skills.  

In addition to its three developmental programs, EHI has recently introduced group equine-assisted therapy specifically for adults. Led by a licensed clinician and a horse specialist, the program is designed to help participants reconnect, heal, and grow through therapeutic activities with horses.  

Whether you are managing stress, coping with anxiety, or simply seeking to reconnect with yourself, the program offers a holistic, refreshing, and impactful approach to personal growth. “The connection between horse and human is an agreement where one is not superior to the other, but rather an equal partnership,” said Kelly. “It’s all about bringing people together, and horses help with that by giving opportunities to connect with your inner self.” 

Some benefits of the program include: 

• Stress relief and emotional regulation 

• Building trust and resilience  

• Boosting confidence and enhancing relationships 

• Being part of a supportive community for shared growth 

About Community Outreach Program 

The USEF Community Outreach Program (COP) recognizes a diverse group of organizations throughout the United States that provide equine-based learning opportunities and support the positive impact horses can have within their local communities. The COP currently recognizes 29 organizations who have been accepted to the Program following a rigorous application process. In order to be accepted and remain in the program, organizations must meet certain standards of horse and human welfare, follow USEF Safe Sport requirements and abide by the USEF Non-Discrimination Policy, as well as offer their services for free or on a sliding scale of fees based on financial need. To learn more, visit www.usef.org/opportunity.