Hollow Tree Ranch, New Braunfels

The horses at Hollow Tree Ranch trot around more than 20 grassy acres laced with streams, dotted with leafy trees, and imbued with wild country atmosphere. Here, skilled instructors guide beginner students during horseback-riding lessons. They place their pupils on the horse right at the beginning for hands-on instruction in saddling up and controlling a steed through trotting, weaving between obstacles, and riding over a log trail. They also combine equestrian training with group roping lessons, where they demonstrate how to coil, aim, and throw a lasso at targets such as an orange cone, a ground dummy, and a high-school bully. They run a one-week intensive day camp in horseback riding, tacking, and care, and regularly use equine therapy to instill communication skills, core muscle strength, and confidence in young people with disabilities.