Fear less. Love more.

A horse can reach what words cannot.

At HŪNKAPI, horses help children, adults, families, first responders, veterans and teams face what feels stuck—and begin moving forward.

Find the right program → Talk to someone
● Therapeutic programs only ● Personal intake guidance ● Scholarships and insurance paths
Horses in the HŪNKAPI farm arena in Scottsdale at sunset.
“We are all related.”

HŪNKAPI is a Lakota word grounded in interrelatedness—our reliance on one another and the responsibility that comes with it.

Ages 3+Children through adults
10-acre farmScottsdale, Arizona
PATH-certifiedRiding instructors
Intake-guidedHelp choosing a program
Find your fit

Start with what you’re facing.

Choose what feels closest. We’ll point you toward the program worth exploring first.

A possible starting point

Talk to an intake specialist

We’ll help you find the right next step.

Programs

Different needs. A shared path forward.

Each program uses the horse-human relationship with a clear purpose—from movement and sensory goals to emotional support, recovery and team development.

A child smiling while riding a horse with a HŪNKAPI staff member nearby.
Why horses?

They notice what we cannot always say.

Horses respond to movement, posture, tone, proximity and behavior in real time. That immediate feedback can make patterns easier to notice, understand and change.

The horse does not ask you to explain everything first. It meets you where you are.

  • Programs for individuals, families, groups and organizations
  • Mounted and unmounted work, depending on goals and program
  • An intake specialist helps recommend the right fit
Talk with intake →
What happens next

A clear next step, without the guesswork.

01

Share what brings you here

Choose a program, select a general need or simply tell us you are not sure yet.

02

Speak with an intake specialist

A team member will learn more about your goals and help identify an appropriate starting point.

03

Choose a starting point

Together, you can discuss format, scheduling, referrals, insurance and scholarship options when applicable.

Not sure yet?

Start the conversation. We’ll help with the rest.

Send a short request and intake will help you find the right place to begin.

Request informationSee financial help
Programs

Therapeutic horse programs shaped around each person’s goals.

Programs support physical, sensory, emotional, relational and team goals. HŪNKAPI does not offer recreational riding lessons.

Ages 3 through adulthoodIndividuals, families & groupsScottsdale, Arizona
Movement · sensory · confidence

Therapeutic Riding

Therapeutic horseback riding that supports movement, sensory processing, focus and confidence.

Helps withBalance, coordination, posture, motor and sensory skills, focus and independence.
Format30-minute private and semi-private sessions; 60-minute groups.
Led byPATH-certified and HŪNKAPI-trained instructors.
Licensed therapy

Equine Assisted Therapy

Therapy alongside a horse, where words are only one part of the work.

Helps withTrauma, anxiety, emotional regulation, self-awareness, communication and relationships.
FormatIndividual, family and group sessions; commonly unmounted.
ApproachThe horse gives honest feedback; the therapist helps interpret and integrate it.
Practical skills-building

Counseling & Life Skills

Experiential support for building coping, communication, emotional awareness and practical day-to-day skills.

Helps withCoping, communication, emotional awareness, resilience and day-to-day functioning.
ApproachExperiential work with the herd that makes patterns and choices easier to notice in the moment.
FormatIntake will confirm the appropriate session structure and practitioner for your goals.
Children & families

Emotional Regulation

For children working through anger, anxiety, sadness or outbursts—and families looking for better ways to support them.

Helps withManaging big emotions, healthier coping and stronger parent-child connection.
Built forThe child and the family—not only the child.
Starting pointIntake will help determine the right individual, family or group format.
First responders · military · veterans

First Responder Program

Somatic, body-based work with horses that supports stress recovery and trauma awareness.

ForPolice, fire, EMS, dispatch, CSI, corrections, active military and veterans.
Helps withTrauma awareness, stress reduction, nervous-system regulation and reduced stigma.
FormatComplimentary multi-week groups, spouse cohorts, couples and family intensives as available.
Addiction & recovery

Addiction & Recovery Support

Experiential support for people navigating urges, isolation and the daily work of recovery.

Helps withRecognizing triggers, managing urges, healthy habits, connection and accountability.
ApproachExperiential work that makes patterns visible in the moment.
FormatProgram structure is determined during intake.
Organizations & teams

Horseplay Team Building

Three hours in the arena that surface how your team actually works—no ziplines, no trust falls.

Helps withCommunication, leadership, collaboration and unproductive dynamics.
FormatApproximately three facilitated hours, built around your goals.
Best forCorporate, nonprofit, school and professional groups.
Before you begin

Common questions, answered plainly.

Intake can answer anything specific to your situation. These are the basics most families and participants ask first.

How do I know which program is the right fit?

You do not need to decide alone. An intake specialist will learn about your goals and recommend the most appropriate starting point.

How long do programs usually last?

It depends on the person and the goals. HŪNKAPI says clients are typically in programming for about three to six months on average.

What should a participant bring?

Wear closed-toed shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, and bring water. A hat and sunscreen are especially important during the summer.

Do sessions continue during heat or rain?

Usually, yes. In rare circumstances HŪNKAPI cancels a session and lets participants know in advance.

Do you accept insurance?

Some insurance-funded services are available, but a behavioral case-manager referral is required. The financial-help page lists the currently published contracted plans.

Are these recreational riding lessons?

No. Every offering on this site is therapeutic or goal-oriented. HŪNKAPI does not offer recreational riding lessons.

Financial help

Financial support may help make services possible.

Scholarship requests are reviewed three times each year. Insurance-funded services may also be available with a behavioral case-manager referral.

Application cycle

Three review periods each year

Applicants are generally notified about two weeks after the deadline.

SummerJune 1
FallAug 1
SpringDec 1
Next application deadline: checking…
Open to broad need

Margot — A Helping Hand Fund

For anyone who needs financial assistance to access HŪNKAPI services.

Apply through DocuSign ↗

Opens the current HŪNKAPI application in DocuSign.

First responders & veterans

Earl Page Cooper Scholarship

Private therapy and support for first responders and veterans—including those who have insurance but prefer not to use it.

Apply through DocuSign ↗

Opens the current HŪNKAPI application in DocuSign.

Need help choosing?

Talk to intake first

You can request information before applying. Intake can help you understand the likely service path and what information may be needed.

Request information →
Insurance path

Insurance-funded services require a case-manager referral.

Case managers can submit a Direct Service Provider Form, Service Plan and Annual Assessment to Horse@hunkapi.org.

Mercy CareMercy Care RBHABanner UniversityHealth ChoiceMolinaAmerican Indian Health Plan
Request information

Tell us what brings you here. We’ll help with the next step.

This is not a booking or payment. It starts a conversation with an intake specialist who can help you understand the available options.

Who can we help?

Start with the basics.

Who is this for?

What are you looking for?

Use whichever path is easier.

A few final details

This helps intake route the request.

Veteran, active military or first responder?

Please keep this brief. Do not include Social Security numbers, insurance or member IDs, medical records, or other highly sensitive documents or details.

This request form is not monitored for emergencies. For immediate danger, call 911. For a mental-health or substance-use crisis in the U.S., call or text 988.
✓

Your request has been received.

An intake specialist will review what you shared and follow up using the contact information you provided.