Loudoun Therapeutic Riding

About the Program

LTR's riding lessons are taught by PATH Intl. certified therapeutic riding instructors. The center lists riders with learning disabilities, developmental delay, autism, Down syndrome, hearing or visual impairment, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, stroke and behavioral challenges. Riders must be at least 4 years old, and the participant policies set a general weight limit of 185 pounds for adaptive riding.

Equine Services for Heroes serves veterans and first responders, including those with PTSD or traumatic brain injury. According to LTR's policies, new participants receive services at no direct cost for one year from their first lesson, and family members can take 12 lessons at no direct cost. Silver Spurs brings Loudoun County seniors to the farm for horse activities, working with senior assisted living communities and the Leesburg Senior Center. Horse Powered Learning is a week-long summer session for children 6 and up that combines a mounted lesson or groundwork with farm and craft activities.

Getting Started

New students fill out the application on the Prospective Students page at ltrf.org, and staff follow up within a few business days. Each new rider then has a 30-minute meet-and-greet evaluation in the barn, and LTR's policies say evaluations are done by a PATH Intl. certified therapeutic riding instructor. Lessons are scheduled as space becomes available, and sessions run year-round.

LTR's participant policies list session fees of $900 for 12 weeks of half-hour lessons and $1,140 for 12 weeks of one-hour lessons. LTR says the actual cost is about $2,000 per session and riders pay only part of it. Families who need help with the cost can apply for fee assistance each year. Therapeutic riding is not covered by insurance. See our guide to equine therapy costs for more.

History

Barbara Baird and Leonard Warner started the program in 1974 at Morven Park in Leesburg. It moved several times over the following decades before settling in 2021 at Lucia Farms, a 25-acre property in Lovettsville that the organization bought. Laura Smith is the executive director.

Location

Loudoun Therapeutic Riding is at Lucia Farms, 14490 Berlin Turnpike, Lovettsville, VA 20180, a 25-acre property in northern Loudoun County. Silver Spurs participants or their care communities arrange their own transportation to the farm.