Posted on a glassed-in bulletin board just across from the arena at Tarleton State University’s Equine Center is a letter written in blue marker.
“You change my heart forever and ever,” it reads. “Love, Braycen.”
balance, coordination and confidence through equine-assisted engagement.
It’s written to Missy, the horse he rides as part of the Texan Therapeutic Riding program.
Director Dr. Ellen Rankins said it’s not unusual for riders in the program to become fond of their mounts.
“They can become very attached to specific horses,” she said, nodding toward the note. “He will be very disappointed if he ever outgrows her.”
The Texan Therapeutic Riding program, founded in 1995 by Tarleton State animal science professor Dr. David Snyder, combines evidence-based research with hands-on learning to support individuals through equine-assisted services.
“We offer therapeutic riding services to the community, adults and the youth population,” Dr. Rankins said. “We have riders from 5 years old to over 70 and a variety of diagnoses and disabilities.
“Right now, we offer adaptive horsemanship skills like grooming, leading and riding in a way that’s safe given their diagnoses and medical history.”
Dr. Rankins got her first horse when she was 9 and credits that experience with her choice of career.
“I learned to ride and I’ve never looked back,” she said.
She earned her undergraduate degree in animal science from Auburn University, went to the University of Florida for her master’s in equine behavior and earned a doctorate in animal bioscience and endocrinology at Rutgers University. Most recently she was at Colorado State University as a post-doctoral research fellow working primarily with autistic youth.
In addition, she holds certifications and credentials from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), a national accrediting organization for instructors and programs.
She came to Tarleton State in September 2025, and in addition to her duties running the riding program, she holds a teaching role at the university, instructing undergrads in basic and advanced therapeutic riding.
The other part of Dr. Rankins’ role as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Animal Science is to conduct research related to equine-assisted services.
“My graduate training is in research on equine well-being and monitoring the physiological and behavioral responses of horses,” she said. “During my post-doctoral training, I expanded my skillset to include research that involves the human participants of equine-assisted services.
“As we start research at Texan Therapeutic Riding, our first project will examine the feasibility and acceptability of providing horsemanship lessons to veterans and their families.”
This project, funded through the President’s Excellence in Research Scholars program, features a new approach, as most studies focus on individuals rather than a family unit.
“I am excited to have collaborators from across the university, including the Division of Health Sciences and the College of Education, for this project,” Dr. Rankins said. “I am also starting some long-term research studies where we compare different training methodologies for horses entering equine-assisted services programs and what might help them be most successful.”
Therapy programs at Tarleton State, including the new physical therapy program, are collaborating with Texan Therapeutic Riding to integrate equine movement into their treatment plans and student education.
“This training has included some of their faculty coming out for regular interactions with the Texan Therapeutic Riding horses so the therapists can learn more about them,” Dr. Rankins said.
Dr. Rankins is also a mentor to students working toward certification as therapeutic riding instructors. Sarah Scheler, a senior animal science major from Montgomery, Texas, is one of them.
“Dr. Rankins has provided a great level of expertise in all areas of therapeutic riding,” she said. “She is extremely knowledgeable and has an obvious love for both our horses and clients. She has put so much time, energy and wisdom into pushing me to be a better instructor every week, and I am so grateful for her mentorship and guidance.”
Though riders in the program are each unique in their needs, Dr. Rankins said therapeutic riding offers physical, emotional and cognitive benefits to nearly all riders.
“The physical benefit of the program comes in doing things many of our participants might not be able to take part in, especially those confined to a wheelchair,” she said. “Being on the back of a horse gives them that motor input that can be analogous to being able to walk. It gives them opportunities to use muscles they don’t typically use.”
Cognitive benefits come from sequencing skills that are also part of the curriculum.
“First, we use this brush in grooming,” Dr. Rankins said, “then we use a second brush and a third brush. They remember patterns and eventually can use those abilities in other areas of their life.”
From an emotional perspective, riders gain confidence as they learn they can direct their horse’s movements.
“There’s a social aspect, too,” she said. “We ride in mostly group classes so there are dynamics between the different riders, how we all work together and how we all engage safely in fun activities together.”