We are a PATH International Membership Center, 
​located at the Red Arena Barn in San Marcos, Texas

Meet our Founder

​Rick Jansen

Hopeful Acres was established in 2018 by Rick Jansen. He had the idea of starting this organization for many years after discovering his purpose, which is to “reduce suffering.”

Rick grew up on a dairy farm near Crofton, Nebraska. He joined the Army upon graduating high school, and earned a master’s degree in Project Management before retiring from the service after 24 years.

Rick’s dream is to bring a program to his community that will provide healing, hope, and support to those experiencing physical and/or mental trauma.

Rick is one of our instructors and holds a CTRI (Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor) certification through PATH (Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship) International.  

"I would encourage everyone to take part in the various activities that Hopeful Acres has to offer."

--Gavin Fillington, U.S. Army Active

Meet Our Instructor

​Lindsey Miller

Lindsey was added to the Hopeful Acres team in June of 2024. We are excited to have her as part of our team. She has held her CTRI (Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor) certification through PATH (Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship) International since 2020 and continues to grow in her riding skills in both english and western disciplines. Lindsey continues to grow in her learning of horses through clinics, shows, and lessons. 

Lindsey previously taught elementary music for 8 years where she had many accomplishments such as lead elementary music teacher for the district she worked, winning numerous education foundation grants, and she holds a national pedagogy certification for music. Lindsey has a love for music and learning. She shares her passion of learning through teaching and is always looking for ways to provide more opportunities for individuals. Lindsey enjoys working with people of all ages, animals, and has always had a love for the outdoors. ​

Meet Our Equine Partners

We call our horses equine partners because they are the center of our relationship. It is a connection built on collaboration. We learn from them as much as they learn from us. The goal is not to use them, but to work in harmony, fostering a partnership that grows as we do.

Red

American Quarter Horse 
Hopeful Acres Original

Say hello to Red, one of the original founding horses at Hopeful Acres. She enjoys grooming, walking through arena patterns, and trail rides. She is a great listener and allows for a trusting bond to form between her and riders. 
Although she doesn't care for her face to be touched too much, she shows a very convincing begging face when carrots and treats are out.

Maverick​

Appendix Horse 
(Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse) 

​Maverick has a fun and loving personality, but still enjoys playing with the other horses. Unfortunately the other horses don't like to play as much as Maverick does.
Maverick is smart and continues to work hard at learning new things. He likes to smell things around him, is trusting of his riders, and loves carrots. 

Ace

Paint quarter horse 

Ace is a handsome, 17-year-old Paint Quarter Horse who embodies the perfect blend of experience and gentleness. A former barrel racer, he now prefers a more relaxed pace and is an exceptionally reliable and enjoyable trail horse. Ace's greatest quality is his wonderfully loving and trusting temperament. He accepts all riders with a patient and kind heart, making him a perfect confidence-builder and a true gem in our program.

High Roller

American Quarter Horse
​Previous Barrel Racer 

High Roller is an American Quarter Horse with a lot of spirit. A versatile and fun horse, he is particularly responsive in one-on-one settings like grooming. He is intuitive, and dependable, and builds trust with his handlers. A shared carrot is the quickest way to get his attention.

Izzy

Bay Color

Meet Izzy, our wonderfully sweet 15-year-old bay mare and a seasoned trail riding expert. She is a willing and able partner on any path, and her deeply trusting nature makes her a favorite for riders seeking an enjoyable experience. Izzy's affectionate personality shines brightest in the barn, where she loves being pampered with care and attention. Her gentle, people-loving disposition makes her a true treasure and a joy to be around, both in and out of the saddle.​

Future Equine Partners

Future Horse

We look for various equine partners for our organization to meet various needs in our community. Our equine partners need to be well trained on the ground and in the saddle. These horses are willing to work with a variety of individuals instead of just one or two. Future equine partners should be respectful of sound, various training tools, and be able to handle a variety of skills tests without spooking or being afraid. Future equine partners can be of various sizes, ages 6-18, breeds and colors. Future horses should be healthy and sound with no major maintenance or injuries. All possible horses will be seen and tested by instructors and require vaccinations and coggins testing prior to being eligible for the program. ​

Miniature Horses

June

Miniature Horse

June is one of our miniature horses. She enjoys helping clients get used to being around horses for the first time. She is gentle, kind, and loving. 
June enjoys being groomed, going on trail walks, introducing people to leading a horse, and building confidence in haltering. She will be your best friend if you have treats or carrots! 

Johnny

Miniature Horse

Johnny is one of our miniature horses. He enjoys introducing people to horses, and encouraging them to become his friend. 
​
Johnny likes walking with our clients, grooming and care, and any type of treat or carrot anyone will give him. He often follows people around to see if they're hiding anything in their pockets. 

Meet Our Other Animal Partners

Animal assisted therapy is great for all ages and individuals. Animals have a unique way of helping us overcome fear, relax, trust, and problem solve. Our goats are great at working with our clients because they test agility with entering and exiting the pen, calmness as one goes to pet them, and overcome fear and anxiety as they get fed. Our cats are wonderful for breaking the ice with their playful and loving personalities. Sometimes we just need someone or something to be there for us and the cats do just that. They allow our clients an opportunity for relaxation, trust with carrying and holding, play when full of energy, and being there when we need someone. The cats often announce their presence with a great “meow” and a nudge around the leg. They can also be found being mischievous in lessons borrowing lesson tools as toys. 

Goats

Dwarf & Pigme​

Our goats are a highlight of our program. They are fun to play with and feed. Although they sometimes smell, they are kind and gentle at heart. 
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Clients love the different colors and markings they show and love to play with the babies the most. 
Sometimes the goats show their love by following you around or trying to nibble on your clothes. 

Cats

These cats have found Hopeful Acres to be a fun, loving, and peaceful home. They enjoy attention and play time from our clients and owners.  They enjoy getting into the tack room and knocking things over, stealing any lunches or snacks that humans have, and assisting in horse training like playing with grooming brushes, and training aids. 

​Contact Us

HOPEFUL ACRES​

1708 Center Point Road 
​San Marcos, Texas 78666
Phone: 830-212-4003
Email: [email protected]
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Get More Information

Thank you for taking an interest in HOPEFUL ACRES. If you would like to learn more about our 501 C-3 non-profit organization, please reach out to us. We aim to be viewed as a valuable community resource by people in the greater San Antonio, Texas community.