Westwind Riding Institute

Westwind Riding Institute offers recreational horseback riding classes for children with disabilities. The one-hour riding program includes children playing fun games on horseback that improve their coordination and balance. During classes, volunteers walk next to the horse, lead horses, and help care for the horses and ponies.

• Ages: 6–18 years old
• Schedule: 2026 Schedule; one-hour riding program

For over 40 years, Westwind Riding Institute, formerly Westwind 4-H, has provided recreational horseback riding classes for children with disabilities. Horseback riding in this program is described as one of the few activities that is truly physically and psychologically therapeutic and requires the involvement of the whole body and utilizes every muscle and joint. Volunteers are described as the backbone of the Westwind Riding Institute program, and no previous experience is necessary for volunteers. Westwind Riding Institute is supported solely by tax-deductible gifts from interested individuals and organizations so they can continue to offer the stated benefits of horseback riding to children with disabilities. WRI gratefully accepts donation from the Santa Clara Realtors Foundation.

Last updated March 7, 2026.