Programs

Therapeutic riding is widely recognized as beneficial for people with various needs. Specifically, it helps develop self-awareness and build self-confidence, improve concentration and increase self-discipline, strengthen and relax muscles, improve posture, while increasing core strength, balance, coordination, and joint mobility.

In response to the growing need for therapies for veterans, the Equine Services for Heroes program uses equine-assisted activities to aid wounded warriors in recovery. Participants of the program often have diagnoses like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI), both of which can have global effects on physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral health.

Physical therapy (incorporating hippotherapy as a treatment tool). Occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology professionals use evidence-based practice in the purposeful manipulation of equine movement to engage sensory, neuromotor, and cognitive systems to achieve functional outcomes. In conjunction with other treatment strategies, hippotherapy is part of a patient’s integrated care plan.

We partner with senior assisted living communities and the Leesburg Senior Center to provide equine assisted activities to address the unique needs of our county’s senior citizens who may or may not be in residential care, rehab facilities, or other long-term care settings. Equine assisted activities can help seniors reconnect with memories, improve fine motor function and provides a fun new opportunity for social interaction!

In addition to riding lessons, Loudoun Therapeutic Riding offers a carriage and cart driving program for those participants who cannot, or choose not to sit, astride a horse, yet can still benefit from the interaction with the horse and the equine activity.

Equine-assisted learning (EAL) promotes the development of life skills for educational, professional and personal goals through experiential learning with horses and does not require riding. EAL uses equine-human interaction to meet the goals or desires of the participant(s). Working with horses provides opportunities to teach trust, respect, honesty and communication as horses are very in-tune to our non-verbal cues and emotions.