About Us
Wonderhill Farm provides a service in the community for those in need of physical, mental, and emotional therapies. We have the BEST people running our programs who love and care for those we serve. Our programs are run by certified and qualified leaders. Our horses are people specialists, our leaders are people specialists, and our programs are focused on the specific needs of each individual. As we continue to love on people, we see Miracles happen every day. The horses do the work and God gets the credit.
As we learn the science behind why and how horses connect with us so well, we witness each day how they are nonjudgmental and reflective. They meet us where we are. If we are living in the past, they can help us focus on the present; if we are focused on the future, they can bring us back to the present. Our horses help us to speak, walk, heal, and process our emotions unlike any other therapy. Therapeutic partnership with horses is a novel but well-documented path toward healing. Equine therapy fosters courage and faith (because horses are large and can be unpredictable), but God guides our horses to reach out to the hearts and souls of people who need help. It’s an amazing partnership and it helps heal everyone who participates in it.
As we learn the science behind why and how horses are able to connect with us so well, there is no denying they are nonjudgmental and live in the moment. They meet us where we are if we are living in the past, they can help us focus on the present, and if we are focused on the future, they can bring us back to the present. Our horses help us to speak, walk, heal and process our emotions unlike any other therapy. Therapeutic partnership with horses is quite an interesting idea (because they are unpredictable, large and dangerous), but God provides the equine to reach the hearts and souls of people who need help. It’s an amazing partnership and it helps heal everyone who partakes in it.
At Wonderhill Farm, we’re committed to healing families and building our communities, one life at a time.
Building Relationships Through
Respect |
Setting boundaries and limits |
Trust |
Faith and Reliability |
Confidence |
Learning who you are / Knowing who you are |
Focus |
Being fully present |
Holly Carlile, Executive Director
Horse crazy is a good way to describe Holly. Her life has been spent as a horse advocate. She is passionate about horses. She thrives on horse information and loves to learn more about equines and the mystery of how they help heal people.
After spending her childhood on the back of a horse, her adult life started at 16 teaching others how to ride. In college, she coached the Equestrian team at Texas Tech. She was also able to compete and placed 7th in the intercollegiate Nationals.
As a former 4-H horse show competitor, combined training eventer, and Western riding coach, Holly’s life took a new direction after settling in Brenham, Texas, a place renowned for its rich equestrian heritage and legendary horsemen. In Brenham, she honed her skills in foaling and managing a Thoroughbred racehorse breeding facility, while also overseeing cattle ranch operations. Holly continued teaching riding, and after launching her lesson program, Equitation Thyme, she was teaching 40 lessons a week. Juggling the demands of raising two boys and maintaining a packed schedule, she recognized the need to expand her knowledge in therapeutic riding. With several students in her program facing mental and physical challenges, Holly pursued certification as a therapeutic riding instructor to better serve their needs.
After working for Wunderhill Farm for 23 years as an equine horse midwife and baby horse kindergarten teacher, she had learned enough to start a nonprofit therapeutic riding program, horse sanctuary/rehabilitation, and an equine-assisted therapy program.
Her boss and close friend, Virginia Jago Elder, owner of Wunderhill Farm, generously gifted Holly a piece of land. This meaningful gesture allowed Holly to establish Wonderhill Farm, a tribute to Virginia and her deep love for the majestic equine.
Holly learned most of her equine knowledge from her experiences while working for Virginia Elder, her team of horse professionals and the proud, spirited, and incredibly sensitive mysterious Thoroughbred race horses.
Holly is passionate about giving back by sharing the wealth of knowledge she gained through years of foaling, training young horses, and rehabilitating Virginia’s retired racehorses—whether helping them transition into new careers or providing a sanctuary for their remaining years. She has assembled an outstanding team of professionals whom she relies on to support her rehabilitation program and sanctuary.
As a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, Holly has worked with riders facing a range of diagnoses, including Down syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, ADHD, Autism, Asperger’s, Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, developmental delays, intellectual disabilities, and various other physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
As an instructor, Holly is often described as empathetic, patient, open-minded, detail-oriented, safety-conscious, creative, fun, calm, grounded, and a multitasker with “eyes in the back of her head.” She excels at teaching others how to build meaningful connections with their horses by understanding equine communication and how horses help us process our own emotions. Holly uses visual analogies to connect with what her students already know and emphasizes horsemanship safety at the start of every lesson or ride.
Certifications
