Kirstie Dobbs is a rider, educator, and youth advocate who bridges the worlds of equine wellness and youth development to help young people build resilience, confidence, and emotional clarity—on and off the horse. With more than 26 years of riding experience and 10 years of professional teaching, Kirstie blends horsemanship, mindfulness, and personal development to create a deeply holistic approach to growth.

Kirstie now serves as the Program Director at Windrush Farm, one of the nation’s oldest therapeutic riding centers. In this role, she oversees equine-assisted services, develops program pathways for riders of all abilities, and leads instructors and staff in creating safe, empowering, and inclusive equine environments. Her work at Windrush allows her to merge leadership, program development, and her lifelong passion for helping people connect with horses in meaningful ways.

Before transitioning into her full-time equine career, Kirstie served as the Director of Early College and a statewide policy advisor for the Massachusetts Alliance for Early College. She also taught and mentored high school and undergraduate community-engaged scholars at Merrimack College, where her work centered on identity development, mental health, leadership, and helping young people—especially first-generation students—recognize their own strengths and pathways to success.

In addition to her academic leadership, Kirstie has worked as an international consultant promoting youth inclusion and educational equity policies across the world. Her research and policy work—funded in part by the European Union—supported global initiatives that amplify youth voice, expand access to opportunity, and strengthen community-based pathways to education and well-being.

Horse Girl Wellness is where her two worlds meet. Through riding instruction, Reiki, equine-assisted coaching, and youth-focused wellness programs, Kirstie creates safe and affirming spaces where riders and young people can explore who they are, build emotional resilience, and cultivate confidence. Her approach integrates evidence-based coaching practices with the intuitive, grounding wisdom of horses.

Kirstie will also be earning her certification with PATH Intl. in 2026, expanding her ability to support riders and youth through therapeutic horsemanship and equine-assisted learning.

Whether she is teaching a jumping lesson, coaching a teen through anxiety, leading a mindfulness workshop, or directing programs that change lives, Kirstie’s mission remains the same: to help people feel seen, supported, and powerful in their own growth.