Rocky Top Therapy Center was founded in 1990 and is one of less than 200 premier accredited riding centers recognized by  the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).

Located on a working ranch in Keller, Texas, the Center was established by Doug and Vivian Newton, who understood the physical and emotional benefits that horseback riding could offer their community's population of individuals with disabilities.

Currently, Rocky Top Therapy Center addresses the needs of over 200 emotionally, mentally and physically challenged individuals each week utilizing 53 therapy horses, a low-elements challenge course and a barnyard filled with pot-bellied pigs, goats, chickens and miniature donkeys and horses.

The Rocky Top staff has been carefully selected to provide premier expertise in therapeutic and horse professions to ensure that the objectives of the programs are met. The Center serves individual families, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools and other organizations that assist the disabled or disadvantaged.


Conditions that receive tremendous benefits from therapeutic riding include:
· Attention Deficit Disorder · Multiple Sclerosis
· Autism · Muscular Dystrophy
· Cerebral Palsy · Paralysis
· Development Delay · Poliomyelitis
· Down Syndrome · Mental Retardation
· Fetal Alcohol Syndrome · Scoliosis
· Head Injuries · Spina Bifida
· Hearing Impairment · Visual Impairment
· Visual Impairment · Youth at Risk


General outcomes within the scope of equitherapy include improvement in:
· muscle tone · postural asymmetry
· balance responses · gross motor skills
· postural control · speech and language abilities
· coordination · behavioral and cognitive abilities
· sensorimotor function · self esteem