Loudoun Therapeutic Riding Foundation, Inc.

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. This program develops communication skills, improves gross and fine motor skills, builds self-confidence, self-awareness, trust, and encourages students to form positive relationships in a socially and sensory rich environment. LTR even has a one-of-a-kind adaptive carriage that is wheelchair accessible, generously donated to us in 2013! This unique carriage allows us to provide quality services to individuals needing convenient and safe access the carriage.

Hippotherapy is a physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. It differs from therapeutic riding in that learning to ride is not the goal. 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.

As a PATH Int’l Premier Accredited Center, LTR is proud to offer its Equine Services for Heroes program to veterans without charge.

In response to the growing need for therapeutic opportunities 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.