Emily Phillips
Equine Professional | Riding Instructor | Volunteer Coordinator | Assistant Barn Manager
Emily Phillips serves as an Equine Professional at Bit of Hope Ranch while also supporting the ranch as a Volunteer Coordinator, Instructor, and Barn Assistant Manager. In mental health sessions, Emily collaborates with counselors to create a safe and supportive environment where clients can experience healing and growth through interactions with the horses.
Emily brings a strong background in education, having previously worked as a secondary math teacher, swim instructor, and swim lesson coordinator. Her experience in teaching helps her understand different learning styles and allows her to support counselors as they connect horse-based activities to each client’s therapeutic goals.
Before joining Bit of Hope Ranch, Emily volunteered and worked at an equine therapy center in Cheyenne, Wyoming from 2014–2022, where she gained experience in hippotherapy, private lessons, and horse care. She is now HALT Certified as both an instructor and Equine Professional and continues expanding her knowledge through hands-on experience and collaboration with the ranch’s equine team.
During sessions, Emily closely observes the horse’s behavior and interactions with clients, providing feedback that helps counselors better understand the dynamics unfolding between horse and human. She also enjoys educating riders, clients, and volunteers so they can feel more confident and safe around horses.
Emily especially enjoys watching the unique ways horses respond to clients during therapy sessions. Whether a normally energetic horse becomes calm or a shy client finds courage through connection, she believes these moments highlight the powerful and authentic relationships that can form between horses and people.
Emily approaches sessions with creativity, curiosity, and a sense of fun. She loves helping clients see that horses can be playful partners and believes laughter, connection, and learning are all part of the healing process.
