“A compassionate space where humans and horses connect,
fostering healing, growth and well-being”
Donna Roland, our beloved founder, began her journey as a special education teacher in California. Driven by her passion for helping people with disabilities, she relocated to Texas, where it was more affordable to pursue her dream. Starting with just one horse and one participant on her small property, the program has grown significantly, providing services to over 500 participants and conducting over 33,000 personalized sessions since 2008. Unfortunately, Donna passed away in 2019, but we proudly continue her legacy with the goal of one day having a property of our own where we can provide our services to everyone who needs them, regardless of their ability to pay.
Open My World Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501©3 dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges and senior citizens in our community through the transformative power of horses. Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where participants can grow physically, emotionally, and socially through Equine-Assisted Activities and Learning.
We serve children and adults with a wide range of physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges, including Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, ADHD, developmental delays, anxiety, and PTSD. In addition, we reach senior citizens in retirement and memory care communities, helping to reduce isolation and foster joy through meaningful interactions with our special horses.
Our Adaptive Riding Program combines mounted and unmounted activities led by specially trained and certified instructors, which can help improve balance, coordination, strength, and motor planning skills while providing sensory stimulation. In 2025, we introduced Horse Powered Reading, an unmounted program with the horses, trained by certified facilitators, which supports literacy and self-confidence in early and struggling readers. To further expand access, we have recently launched the H.A.P.Y. (Hug-A-Pony) Mobile Program, a community outreach initiative that brings our miniature horses, Thunder and Lightning, directly to autism, memory care and hospice centers, providing comfort and connection to individuals and groups who are unable to travel to our ranch.
Through the natural, healing bond that occurs between humans and horses, Open My World empowers participants to overcome barriers, build confidence, and experience personal growth. Our goal is to make the therapeutic benefits of horses accessible to everyone in our community, regardless of their ability to pay.
