Where Hope Is Set Free
Hope Unbridled offers hope, healing, and trust through meaningful connection with horses.
Our Services
$50
Recreational lessons are geared toward beginner students who desire to have exposure to basic horsemanship and horse care.
$50
Adaptive lessons are provided for participants desiring to improve their emotional, physical, or educational development. The lessons are personalized to fit the student’s specific needs and goals.
$75
Camps are hosted throughout the year for various ages and abilities. These day camps are structured to provide education, good work ethic, and teamwork principles.
Events refer to fundraisers, birthday parties, catered events, and a variety of educational opportunities .
Book a Free Consultation
Hope Unbridled inspires hope, healing, and trust through engaging horsemanship lessons designed for beginner riders and children with emotional, physical, and learning disabilities. Our lessons focus on teaching students how to care for, connect, and safely work around horses.
About Hope Unbridled
Hope Unbridled offers hope, healing, and trust through meaningful connection with horses.
We inspire hope, healing, and trust through engaging horsemanship lessons designed for beginner riders and children with emotional, physical, and learning disabilities. Our lessons focus on teaching students how to care for, connect, and safely work around horses.
Our goal is to adapt lessons to each participant’s unique needs, enabling hope, healing, and trust through their experience and connection with horses.
Meet the Equines
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Thabo
This is Thabo (pronounced Tabō), whose name means Joy in the Sesotho South African Language.
As the pony of the barn, Thabo carries the spunk and personality of the herd. Because of his forward nature and upbeat personality, he is especially loved by the more experienced children wanting a little challenge. He is also quite stylish and likes to show off posing for pictures!
Thabo (meaning hope in Sesotho) is:
-About 8 years old
-Has been at Hope Unbridled for 1 year
-Loved for playing games during rainy day lessons
-Spunky and stylish
-Favorite snack: anything edible for ponies!
At Hope Unbridled, Thabo reminds us every day that joy can be found in the small things of life.
“For you are our glory and joy.”-1 Thessalonians 2:20
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Themba
Meet Themba (pronounced Temba), whose name means hope, trust, and faith in the Zulu Southern African language.
Themba has the spunk of a pony and the “in your pocket” attitude of a horse, bringing excitement and friendship into every lesson. He’s especially loved for his groundwork, ability to read human body language, and puppy dog personality. He encourages and challenges students to be confident, yet patient and relaxed while working with him.
Themba (meaning hope, trust, and faith in Zulu) is:
-About 10 years old
-Has been at Hope Unbridled for 5 years
-Loved for his groundwork
-Spunky and in your pocket
-Favorite snack: apples
At Hope Unbridled, Themba reminds us every day that hope and renewed trust can be found in the friendship of a horse.
“For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.” -Psalm 71:5
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Rapha
This is Rapha, whose name means healing in Hebrew.
As the oldest horse in our herd, Rapha carries wisdom and calm into every lesson. He’s especially loved by beginners and children with disabilities, because his patient nature helps riders feel safe, confident, and cared for.
Rapha (meaning healing in Hebrew) is:
-26 years old
-Has been at Hope Unbridled for 6 years
-Loved for riding lessons
-Calm and steady
-Favorite snack: mints
At Hope Unbridled, Rapha reminds us every day that healing and hope can be found in the quiet strength of a horse.
“It will be healing to your flesh hand refreshment to your bones.” -Proverbs 3:8
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Meet the Instructor
Natania Swiger is the founder, director, and lead instructor of Hope Unbridled. She combines her lifelong love of horses with her passion for helping others heal and grow. As a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI), Natania has years of training experience with horses from respected programs including Lori Nelson Training (Mechanicsburg, IL), Breezy Bluff Riding Academy (McLean, IL), and Bright Star Equestrian Centre (Divernon, IL).
Her volunteer work with children and individuals with disabilities at Bright Star Equestrian Centre and Refuge Ranch (Rochester, IL) has furthered her understanding and ability to teach individuals using the powerful connection between horses and humans.
Natania also serves on the Board of Directors at Freedom Reins, where she continues to advocate for equine-assisted services and inclusive community programs.
With an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, she blends her knowledge of child development with a calm, compassionate teaching style — creating an environment where participants can grow in hope, healing, and trust.
When Natania isn’t with her horses… she can be found dancing classical ballet with Twin Cities School of Dance, playing harp with a harp circle, Harp’s Delight, and canning produce from her garden.
