Location: Port Deposit, Maryland, United States
Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program is an equine-assisted services center in Port Deposit, Maryland, serving children, adults, veterans, and at-risk youth through therapeutic horsemanship and horse-centered learning. The program is built around the idea that horses can support the mind, body, and soul, giving participants a place to build confidence, mobility, emotional well-being, and practical life skills in a supportive farm setting.
This is a long-established nonprofit program with a broad service model and strong community roots. Freedom Hills has been offering therapeutic horsemanship since 1982 and continues to provide equine-facilitated services through a mix of riding, learning, competitions, and community-based support.
About This Program
Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program is a nonprofit organization that provides equine-facilitated therapy and learning for individuals with physical, mental, and emotional challenges. The program also serves military veterans and kids at risk, giving it a wider reach than a center focused only on adaptive riding lessons.
The approach here is hands-on and participant-centered. Riders and participants can benefit from therapeutic riding, equine learning, horsemanship, stable management, recreational riding, sports riding, trail riding, horse shows, and Special Olympics involvement. The environment is designed to be nonjudgmental, encouraging, and deeply rooted in the horse-human relationship.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic riding
- Equine-facilitated therapy
- Equine-facilitated learning
- Horsemanship instruction
- Stable management education
- Recreational riding
- Sports riding
- Trail riding
- Horse shows
- Special Olympics participation
- Programs for military veterans
- Programs for kids at risk
Who They Serve
- Children
- Teens
- Adults
- Individuals with physical disabilities
- Individuals with mental or emotional challenges
- Military veterans
- Kids at risk
- Participants with addictions
- Riders interested in therapeutic horsemanship and equine learning
Facility and Setting
Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program operates at Rolling Hills Ranch in Port Deposit, Maryland. The setting is a working farm environment designed to support therapeutic horsemanship, equine learning, volunteer involvement, competitions, and community events.
The atmosphere is practical, welcoming, and grounded in the day-to-day experience of being around horses. It is the kind of setting where participants can leave behind outside stress, connect with horses in a nonjudgmental environment, and build skills through steady, meaningful involvement.
What Makes Them Unique
Freedom Hills stands out for its long history and the breadth of what it offers. This is not just a therapeutic riding program. It also includes equine learning, horsemanship, stable management, competitions, Special Olympics opportunities, veteran support, and youth outreach, making it a broader equine-assisted center than many smaller programs.
Another strength is its continued public activity and strong community presence. The program remains visibly active through recent events, gala promotions, volunteer opportunities, and social updates, which gives it a strong sense of continuity and engagement.