About Us
Free Rein Therapeutic Riding is a member of P.A.T.H. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) and is located just north of Millwood area of Spokane, Washington. We offer adaptive riding and military horsemanship programs to children and adults with disabilities using horses as part of the therapy process. The riders in our program are very diverse. Their goals range from strengthening muscles and improving balance to problem solving and developing better focus and communication skills. Horses are amazing animals; we work with them to improve both physical and emotional health. Horseback riding can improve body strength and balance. Controlling an animal as large as a horse can increase confidence and motivate riders to build their skills beyond where they thought they could. These new-found skills, strength and confidence very often carry over into the riders’ everyday lives.
History
Free Rein was founded in the summer of 2008 in order to provide a facility where those with physical, mental or emotional challenges could experience the profound benefits of therapeutic horseback riding in the Spokane area. The program started with 18 riders and 6 horses in donated space on the South Hill. In the spring of 2013, Free Rein started a Military Horsemanship program to serve disabled veterans with both physical injuries and other challenges such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Our goal at Free Rein is to provide a positive therapeutic environment for riders, their families, and our volunteers to learn, grow and build relationships in a caring, compassionate and fun atmosphere.