Staff (Equine and Otherwise)

The Equine Staff

Currently there are fourteen therapeutic horses residing at Seven Gables Farm. They represent everything from Miniature to Belgian, trotting to gaited breeds. This variety of horses provides for diversity in height, weight, movement and balance. Our horses have been carefully selected for their ability and willingness to work with this population. See our Photo Gallery...

The Human Staff

Seven Gables is well staffed with full-time employees and a cadre of Volunteers. Volunteers receive the appropriate training, consistent with NARHA standards, to perform their duties and responsibilities as Side Walkers and Horse Leaders. Our Instructors are certified by NARHA after completing a rigorous education and training process.

Betty Harper is Executive Director. Cell Phone: 615-218-4100

Betty is the niece of the first woman Marine, which makes her roots to the military her inspiration to create Seven Gables Farm Therapeutic Riding Stable. A horsewoman for the past dozen or more years, Betty offers her specially trained herd of riding therapy horses to all with special needs. Her desire is to help special needs children and adults as well as our wounded soldiers experience the healing power of the horse. (Seven Gables Farm innovative Soldiers, Up program mounted the first wounded soldier in Tennessee.) As Executive Director of the program, Betty's goals are to become a Premier NARHA center and offer a state of the art therapeutic riding facility in a natural and serene setting. Betty has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Michigan, is a certified Inscape (instrument based) facilitator, a Member of NARHA, and a NARHA Registered Level Instructor.

YOU Could Be a “Volunteer”

Seven Gables would never exist if it wasn’t for wonderful people volunteering their time. There are a number of ways that volunteers can assist. Some apply their horsemanship skills in the arena, while others who have little or no experience with horses, perform other duties that ultimately benefit the center’s riders. Click here to learn how to be a Volunteer...

Future Partners

In the near future, we plan to add a Physical Therapist to our staff. And the door is open for an Occupational Therapist and Speech/Language Therapist! These licensed professionals will complete the necessary NARHA requirements to allow us to conduct Hippotherapy, an equine assisted therapeutic session which many or most medical insurance companies recognize for reimbursement.