The centaur — a half-human, half-horse being from Greek mythology — has long captured imaginations as a symbol of strength, wisdom, and harmony between man and nature. I remember watching Hercules as a child, marveling at Phil, the centaur mentor who trained the mighty hero. He was sharp-witted, knowledgeable, and endlessly devoted — a perfect depiction of what the centaur represents.

So when the idea for Centaur Stride was born back in 1990, we spent a great deal of time choosing a name that would embody both purpose and symbolism. At the time, our primary focus was on the physical benefits of horseback riding for children with disabilities — particularly those with cerebral palsy, for whom movement was a daily struggle. We sought to provide opportunities for therapeutic motion — opportunities that might make walking a possibility, or at the very least, improve function and quality of life.

The term therapeutic horseback riding is often used broadly, but it covers many different disciplines. Among them is hippotherapy — the clinical use of equine movement by a trained therapist to stimulate the neuromotor, sensory, and cognitive systems. No other therapeutic tool comes close to the horse in its ability to replicate the natural, rhythmic movement of human walking. It is this very movement that facilitates essential development — physically, neurologically, and emotionally.

But it didn’t take long before we began to witness something even more profound. Beyond the physical realm, the psycho-social benefits of horse interaction began to emerge. Horses possess an incredible intelligence — quiet, intuitive, and often more perceptive than we are. I’ve learned lessons from horses that I never encountered in my years of physical therapy schooling or clinical practice.

At Centaur Stride, therapy never feels like therapy. It feels like freedom. Like discovery. Like joy. Each session is an adventure — on horseback or on the ground — with growth, trust, and connection at its core.

When we chose the name Centaur Stride, it was intentional. We wanted to honor the partnership between horse and therapist, between intuition and science, between nature and human potential. We wanted to recognize the horse not merely as a tool–but as a co-therapist, a guide, and in some ways, the true teacher.

I remember Whiskey — our very first therapy horse and, frankly, the one who taught me the most. He was dominant, wise, and endlessly patient. I often caught him rolling his eyes at me, as if to say, “If you’d just ask, I could save you a lot of time.” And he wasn’t wrong. Whiskey had a sense for what each rider needed — physically, emotionally, spiritually — long before I did.

I was proud of our name. It felt right. It still does. But what I hadn’t anticipated was how misunderstood it might be. Many people didn’t know what a centaur was, and the name gave no clear clue that we were a therapeutic riding center. Some even mistook us for a traditional rehabilitation clinic. We were once listed under “Rehabilitation” in the Yellow Pages! That led to families contacting us after exhausting traditional therapy options — insurance denied further treatment, and the doors of conventional rehab had closed.

One rider came to us after being discharged with the heartbreaking message: “You won’t improve any more than this.” And yet, with the help of our horses and team, that person made astonishing progress. I still believe her story could make a powerful film — a testament to resilience, hope, and the miracle of equine partnership.

That said, rehabilitation wasn’t our original vision. Developmental therapy was. We focused on training instructors in horse handling, positioning, and therapeutic strategies, with therapists in a supervisory role. That allowed us to reach more individuals, combining our work with other therapies for even greater outcomes. We never billed insurance. We kept our fees low. Because in truth, there’s never “enough” therapy available for those who need it most. That hasn’t changed.

Today, our model is more refined: therapists conduct intakes and train instructors for safe, effective, and individualized work. If a participant requires ongoing, direct therapist involvement, they may not be a candidate for mounted lessons–but may still find a home with us through groundwork, enrichment, or nature-based sessions.

So yes — Centaur Stride remains the perfect name. But our vision has expanded beyond physical gains. Today, we are a therapeutic and enrichment facility, using horses and nature to nurture both body and mind, for individuals of all abilities. Our mission is rooted in inclusion, integration, and the belief that every person has something to gain from connecting with these extrasensory, deeply intuitive animals.

At Centaur Stride, it’s clear: the horses are the real magic-makers. Trained staff are the interface, and are just as important, minimizing risk and keeping the horses trained and conditioned for their special role, while ensuring a very nurturing environment for all.

Claudia Monroe is president and founder of Centaur Stride, which is located at 8488 Jones Road, Sherman.