Triple-H  Equitherapy Organization History

Twenty years ago there were only institutionalized therapeutic services for people with disabilities in Bexar and adjacent Hill Country counties. In 1995, Kent and Kathy Harbaugh moved to Texas from Alabama where they had founded the Montgomery Area Nontraditional Equestrians (MANE) therapy center. At MANE, they demonstrated how the human-horse bond can open the door to new possibilities for those living with a physical or mental disability. Kent (a retired USAF Colonel) and his wife finally found a little piece of “horse heaven”in the Texas Hill Country about 20 miles
Northwest of San Antonio.

The couple envisioned building a therapeutic horsemanship center at which children, adults, and even horses with special needs could thrive. The Harbaugh’s vision became a reality when they established Horses Helping the Handicapped, Inc., in 1995. 

KATHY HARBAUGH, 
CO-FOUNDER
​Kathy co-founded Triple H (Horses Helping the Handicapped) in 1995 and was our first Instructor. She has ridden, taught, and competed in various equestrian disciplines for over 60 years—from barrel racing to showing Saddlebreds. Kathy’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in special education. She is certified by PATH as an Advanced Therapeutic Riding Instructor and a Driving Instructor. Ten years in Europe with her military husband enabled her to foxhunt, exercise the Queen's horses in London, and compete on an RAF Equestrian Team. She and Kent founded two therapeutic riding centers:  MANE in Montgomery, Alabama, and Triple H Equitherapy in Pipe Creek, Texas. She is shown with her personal horse, Money. Kathy said, “My favorite challenge is helping a person who is terrified of horses to become comfortable within a short period of time and bring them to love working with these intelligent and gentle creatures.” ​