Simple Changes
Mason Neck, Virginia
Simple Changes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit therapeutic riding center on a farm in Mason Neck, Virginia, in southeastern Fairfax County. It offers therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, equine-assisted learning, equine-assisted psychotherapy and sessions for veterans. Its riders include children and adults with disabilities, veterans, brain injury survivors and seniors.
- Therapeutic riding lessons
- Hippotherapy with licensed PT, OT and SLP therapists
- Equine-assisted psychotherapy (unmounted)
- Equine-assisted learning for groups
- Mounted and unmounted sessions for veterans
- Recreational riding
- Children and adults with disabilities
- People with autism, cerebral palsy and developmental or neurologic conditions
- Riders who use wheelchairs
- Veterans
- Brain injury survivors
- Seniors, including those with cognitive challenges
- Leadership and other groups
More about this center
About the Program
Therapeutic riding lessons teach riding skills tailored to each rider and work on muscle tone, balance, posture, following directions and emotional regulation. Riders register by the session. According to local news coverage, riders range in age from 2 to 90, most have no riding experience, and a barn lift helps wheelchair users mount.
Hippotherapy is provided at the farm with Progressive Pediatrics and uses the horse's movement as part of individual treatment by a licensed therapist. The center's team page lists physical therapists, an occupational therapist and a speech-language pathologist. Equine-assisted psychotherapy involves groundwork with trained horses and no riding, and is aimed at trauma, anxiety, grief and relationship challenges. Equine-assisted learning sessions are planned with each group, and veterans can choose mounted or unmounted sessions (see equine therapy for veterans).
The Horses and Staff
Corliss Wallingford and Jenny Spain co-founded Simple Changes. Wallingford is executive director and Spain is program and facility director. Both are Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors (CTRI), and Wallingford is also a PATH Intl. Mentor and PATH Intl. Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. Three more CTRI instructors are on staff, including barn manager Kylie Vanhove.
The Horses page lists eight horses, including Quarter Horses, draft crosses, an Arab/Andalusian cross and a former racehorse, ranging from 14.3 to 16.2 hands.
History
Simple Changes opened in 2005 at the Bureau of Land Management's Meadowood equestrian facility. In 2020 it bought a farm on Mason Neck, less than two miles from its first home.
Volunteering
Volunteers must be at least 14, commit to one three- to four-hour block each week for at least three months, and pass a criminal background check. Contact the center to schedule a volunteer interview.
Location
The farm is at 10800 Belmont Blvd., Mason Neck, VA 22079, in southeastern Fairfax County near Lorton. Mail goes to P.O. Box 991, Lorton, VA 22199.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How much do therapeutic riding lessons cost?
Therapeutic riding is $80 per lesson, with riders registering by the session. Hippotherapy rates are set by the therapist, and equine-assisted learning rates are set per group.
How do I sign up?
Participant forms for therapeutic riding, recreational riding, hippotherapy and other programs are on the center's Forms page. Call 703-402-3613 or email info@simplechanges.org to ask about openings.
Do participants need riding experience?
No. Equine-assisted psychotherapy involves no riding, and local news reports that most riders start with no experience.
Location
Mason Neck, Virginia 22079
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.