SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program is a nonprofit equine-assisted services organization based in Herndon, Virginia. Founded to foster healing and teach life skills through interactions between humans and horses, SPIRIT provides inclusive equine-assisted programs that support children, adults, veterans, families, and groups with a wide range of physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral challenges. The organization is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit and an accredited PATH International Premier Accredited Center.
Operating at Frying Pan Farm Park, SPIRIT uses both mounted and unmounted equine-assisted activities to promote confidence, communication, trust, responsibility, empathy, and personal growth. Through a collaborative team of certified instructors, therapists, volunteers, and therapy horses, the organization provides individualized services that improve participants’ quality of life while strengthening community connections.
About This Program
SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program offers a diverse range of equine-assisted services designed to meet therapeutic, educational, and personal development goals. Programs include therapeutic riding, therapeutic horsemanship, equine-assisted learning (EAL), equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP), occupational therapy incorporating hippotherapy principles, veteran services, and educational workshops. Each program is tailored to the participant’s individual abilities and objectives while emphasizing safety, inclusion, and skill development.
Participants benefit from structured interactions with horses that promote improvements in balance, coordination, communication, emotional regulation, leadership, problem-solving, and self-confidence. In addition to serving individuals with disabilities, SPIRIT also provides life skills programs for youth, families, schools, corporate groups, and mental health professionals seeking equine-assisted education and training.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic horseback riding
- Therapeutic horsemanship
- Equine-assisted learning (EAL)
- Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP)
- Occupational therapy incorporating hippotherapy principles
- Veterans equine-assisted program
- Beginner horseback riding lessons
- Horse grooming and horsemanship education
- Leadership and life skills development
- Team-building workshops
- Corporate and group equine-assisted workshops
- Mental health professional training
- SPIRIT Academy educational courses
- Scholarship opportunities
- Volunteer training and community engagement
Who They Serve
SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program may be good for:
- Children with disabilities
- Teens and adolescents
- Adults with disabilities
- Veterans
- Individuals with autism spectrum disorder
- Individuals with ADHD
- Individuals with cerebral palsy
- Individuals with Down syndrome
- Individuals with developmental delays
- Individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief, or trauma
- Families seeking equine-assisted support
- Youth leadership groups
- Corporate teams
- Mental health professionals and educators
Facility and Setting
SPIRIT operates at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, Virginia, where participants enjoy a welcoming equestrian environment designed for therapeutic, educational, and recreational equine activities. The facility accommodates both mounted and ground-based programs and is supported by experienced instructors, licensed therapists, trained volunteers, and carefully selected therapy horses.
The organization emphasizes accessibility and inclusion, creating opportunities for participants of varying abilities to safely interact with horses while working toward individualized goals. Community volunteers play a vital role in supporting lessons and ensuring a positive experience for every participant.
What Makes Them Unique
SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program is distinguished by its holistic approach to equine-assisted services, combining therapeutic riding, psychotherapy, life skills education, occupational therapy, and leadership development under one organization. Its mission extends beyond riding instruction by helping participants develop communication, empathy, confidence, responsibility, and resilience through meaningful horse-human interactions.
Another unique feature is SPIRIT Academy, which provides continuing education and professional development for therapists, counselors, life coaches, and riding instructors interested in incorporating equine-assisted approaches into their work. This commitment to education helps expand access to high-quality equine-assisted services throughout the community.