Who we are

We are a team of mental health practitioners, entrepreneurs, horse trainers, public health advocates, youth development experts, and healthcare professionals on a mission to address the youth mental health crisis.

Unbridled Rising was founded and is managed by Susan Schaffler, MA. Susan brings 15+ years of experience leading program development, partnerships, communications, and strategic initiatives for startups, foundations, and nonprofits. Her unique combination of skills positions her to build Unbridled Rising as both a social impact program and a sustainable business.

The Unbridled Team is not looking to create another application or use more screens. Our curriculum connects themes of the body keeping score, finding resilience in discomfort, and redefining strength. Our program is designed to encourage resilience and to help us recognize that our deepest healing often emerges from understanding our strengths, and feeling ourselves as an integral part of a collective. 

Why horses?

"He is my silent teacher... guiding me to understanding." ~Author Unknown

Horses are one of the largest prey animals in the world. They are present, social, and honest. They provide immediate feedback, self-awareness, connection, and presence. Our program is grounded in an evidence-based curriculum facilitated by a certified mental health / PATH Intl./ EAGALA-certified equine specialist

Our Values

  • Strengths-Based Development: Every participant brings unique capabilities that deserve recognition and amplification, not deficit-focused intervention.

  • Human-Centered Design: Youth participate in shaping their own learning experiences, ensuring programming meets their actual needs.

  • Partnership Over Dominance: True confidence emerges through collaboration and mutual respect, not control or coercion.

  • Authentic Wellbeing: Real resilience comes from understanding and accepting ourselves, not from external validation or performance.

  • Cultural Responsiveness: Well-being development must honor and celebrate diverse perspectives, identities, and lived experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Unbridled Rising is for every young person navigating the complex journey of growing up. With horses as partners, our participants develop the confidence and self-awareness that so many young people are starving for right now. Our program is a good fit for youth experiencing:

    • Stress and anxiety

    • Self-doubt or low self-esteem

    • Disconnection from peers and purpose

    • Social media pressure and comparison

    • Mild to moderate mood or behavioral challenges

    Through research-informed equine-assisted learning and positive youth development, we provide a supportive space for self-discovery, emotional growth, and social skill-building.

    Our program is preventive and enriching in nature. While we aim to be inclusive, it may not be suitable for youth with:

    • Active suicidal ideation

    • Severe aggression or violent behavior

    • Inability to function in a social learning environment

    For youth facing more intensive mental health challenges, we're happy to provide referrals to appropriate clinical services.

  • At Unbridled Rising, we focus on strengths, not deficits.

    Program elements are multi-sensory and choice-driven, with an emphasis on experiential learning. Facilitators are trained in trauma-informed practices, inclusive group facilitation, and de-escalation to meet a range of participant needs.

    We believe in empowering youth to co-create community agreements and take an active role in shaping their experience. Social-emotional skill building, positive coping strategies, and self-reflection are woven throughout.

    With horses as partners and peers as allies, Unbridled Rising provides a safe space for youth to build self-awareness, practice new ways of being, and experience belonging exactly as they are.

  • Grounded in evidence-based curriculum that includes youth development sciences, principles of positive and cognitive-behavioral psychology, human-centered design, and positive reinforcement training (R+) methods.

    We offer two pathways: evidence-based mental health services for youth struggling with clinical anxiety, depression, or trauma; and equine-assisted learning programs for youth seeking preventive wellbeing support, leadership development, and personal growth.

  • Our program is designed to be scalable across multiple existing therapeutic centers nationwide. The equine-assisted services world is fractured and in need of innovative solutions to ensure curriculum rigour, profitability, quality, and impact. Unbridled Rising is the administrative overhead and funding partner that facilities need so that they can focus on doing the work they love in their own communities.

Contact us

We are launching multiple 6-week pilots. Reach out if you’re interested learning more! Or keep updated with our progress.