What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 6pm Tuesday 8am - 6pm Wednesday 8am - 6pm Thursday 8am - 6pm Friday 8am - 6pm Saturday 8am - 6pm

A Heart for HERO's, Inc

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Bartow, FL
A Heart for HERO's, Inc

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A Heart for H.E.R.O.s (Horses Empowering Riders and Others), Inc. is a nonprofit organization. A Heart for H.E.R.O.s works in association with Rockin' W Ranch.

Our program's main focus is working with Special Olympics athletes in the Polk County Equestrian Program. It is our hope that the horses can help empower their riders and handlers and bring joy to the lives of others.

11/04/2026

This Sunday is the Lakeland Art Crawl! And Jimbo & Knight will be painting!! Don’t miss this fun day!

Painting ponies? Yes, please! Painting ponies for a good cause? Even better!!!

Come see demonstrating equine artists Jimbo and Knight at Art Crawl 2026! These two adorable artists come to us from Bartow nonprofit A Heart for H.E.R.O.s (Horses Empowering Riders and Others), Inc. A Heart for H.E.R.O.s empowers individuals through equine-based programming, serving youth and others with a wide range of needs through therapeutic horse interactions and mentorship activities!

Support this wonderful community effort and get excited for Jimbo and Knight to join us on November 8. We'll see you there!

11/03/2026

Peace and PossAbility activities for Saturday! We will have horses for a trail ride there!

11/03/2026

This Saturday! Great family fun event for those with a family member with disabilities. Free!! We will have horses there for the trail rides!

Removing the Barriers Initiative

10/30/2026

Don’t miss the Art Crawl on November 8th!

Painting ponies? Yes, please! Painting ponies for a good cause? Even better!!! Come see demonstrating equine artists Jim...

10/30/2026

10/23/2026

Sometimes you need to stop and enjoy the beauty. This is right along the fence line of our Rockin W Ranch fence. It is a Red Cypress Vine (Ipomoea quamoclit), also called Cardinal Climber or Hummingbird Vine.

10/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18dLqZgRBA/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Removing the Barriers Initiative

10/22/2026

Tomorrow, Friday Oct 23rd is last day to register for Equestrian interest! It will close after that for the year. https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ca7xoA2NV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Interest for the 2027 equestrian season will close TOMORROW! 🐴

Head to the link in our bio to join the waitlist and express interest! Please note, expressing interest does not guarantee placement into a program for this season🌟

Register Here: https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/01a0ee04feeb7e498637ec6889a732a8

10/17/2026

Another study about riding horses and its effects it has. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1LvFXPLqcD/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Riding horses or even just spending time around them can make a big difference for kids with autism, helping to reduce hyperactivity and boost social skills, new research suggests.

In a study of 236 children with autism and co-occurring psychiatric conditions, researchers found that participating in either a therapeutic riding program or doing barn activities brought about meaningful benefits.

Some kids who participated in the study were assigned to receive therapeutic horseback riding once a week for 10 weeks while others took part in a barn activity group where they saw horses, but did not interact with them.

Both the riding program and the barn activity led to significant drops in irritability and hyperactivity, according to findings published this month in the journal Pediatrics. There were also improvements in emotional regulation and social behaviors.

However, the greatest impact on hyperactivity was observed among children in the riding group, the researchers found.

“There is something about riding a horse that is particularly helpful for kids with hyperactivity,” said Robin Gabriels, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Colorado who led the study.

While horseback riding is not necessarily right for every child with autism, the researchers said their findings suggest it is a good way to supplement existing treatments.

Source: Disability Scoop

03/26/2026

🎉🐎 You’re Invited! 🐎🎉

Join us on March 27th & 28th at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala for our athletes State Equestrian Competition and their last show of the year!

Hosted by Rockin' W Ranch through our nonprofit program A Heart for Hero's, this Special Olympics equestrian event is a celebration of determination, courage, and community.

✨ FREE admission
✨ Family-friendly event
✨ Inspiring athletes
✨ Welcoming atmosphere

We invite our community to come cheer on these incredible athletes as they compete and showcase their hard work — in an environment where every rider is celebrated, no matter their disability.
Come experience the heart behind our mission and see firsthand how lives are being changed right here in Bartow.

Bring your friends. Bring your family. Bring your cheering voices!

Address

5247 Rifle Range Road
Bartow, FL
33830

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 6pm
Saturday	8am - 6pm

Website

http://www.aheartforheros.org/

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