Let Our Horses Heal You
Equine-Assisted Activities for the Body, Mind, and Spirit
Take the First Step Toward Healing With Equestrian Therapy
SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program is dedicated to healing the body, mind, and spirit and providing activities where we educate the participant on life skills.
We promote awareness by utilizing the interaction between humans and horses—on the ground or in the saddle. Our participants can apply these skills to their lives beyond the barn.
At SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program, we use horsemanship and equine-assisted activities to reach therapeutic goals for a wide range of disorders, to improve basic self-esteem, and to teach about communication, trust, responsibility, partnership, and empathy.
We are a nationally recognized, fast-growing 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Our mission is to foster healing and to teach life skills through interactions between humans and horses.
Take the First Step Toward Healing With Equestrian Therapy
SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program is dedicated to healing the body, mind, and spirit and providing activities where we educate the participant on life skills.
We promote awareness by utilizing the interaction between humans and
horses—on the ground or in the saddle. Our participants can apply these skills to their lives beyond the barn.
At SPIRIT Open Equestrian Program, we use horsemanship and equine-assisted activities to reach therapeutic goals for a wide range of disorders, to improve basic self-esteem, and to teach about communication, trust, responsibility, partnership, and empathy.
We are a nationally recognized, fast-growing 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Our mission is to foster healing and to teach life skills through interactions between humans and horses.
Our Progams
Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic riding is an equine-assisted activity that contributes positively to the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with special needs.
Unlike traditional forms of therapy, therapeutic horseback riding provides a unique and therapeutic experience for the rider and benefits participants by improving:
- Balance
- Muscle Tone
- Gross and Fine Motor Skills
- Focusing Skills
- Self-Confidence
- Communication
Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic riding is an equine-assisted activity that contributes positively to the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with special needs.
Unlike traditional forms of therapy,
therapeutic horseback riding provides a unique and therapeutic experience for the rider and benefits participants by improving:
- Balance
- Muscle Tone
- Gross and Fine Motor Skills
- Focusing Skills
- Self-Confidence
- Communication
Equine-Assisted Learning
EAL programs use the interactions between humans and horses to encourage personal growth and development and to improve basic life skills. It also provides help in the following areas:
- Social, Teamwork, and Leadership Skills
- Confidence and Self-Esteem
- Communication Skills
- Empathy
- Respect
- Boundaries
- Conflict Resolution
- Patience
SPIRIT EAL programs offer individual and group sessions for youth, workshops for corporate groups, teams, families, and other groups to facilitate the development of:
- Teamwork
- Leadership Skills
- Management Skills
The SPIRIT Team will create a fun and memorable experience to help you discover your own potential.
Equine-Assisted Learning
EAL programs use the interactions between humans and horses to encourage personal growth and development and to improve basic life skills. It also provides help in the following areas:
- Social, Teamwork, and Leadership Skills
- Confidence and Self-Esteem
- Communication Skills
- Empathy
- Respect
- Boundaries
- Conflict Resolution
- Patience
SPIRIT EAL programs offer individual and group sessions for youth, workshops for corporate groups, teams, families, and other groups to facilitate the development of:
- Teamwork
- Leadership Skills
- Management Skills
The SPIRIT Team will create a fun and memorable experience to help you discover your own potential.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy
Designed for individuals and families, EAP is an approach that incorporates interactions with horses into mental and behavioral therapy.
EAP is used to address:
- Behavioral Issues
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Eating Disorders
- Abuse
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Trauma
- Grief
- PTSD
Therapeutic Horsemanship
Therapeutic horsemanship is an unmounted program facilitated by certified TH facilitators.
This program uses interaction with horses or creating activities in a farm setting to improve:
- Basic Life Skills (Focusing, Orientation, and Emotional Intelligence)
- Setting Boundaries
- Self-Control
- Communication and Social Skills
- Confidence
SPIRIT Open Equestrian Veterans’ Program
From a veteran’s perspective, SPIRIT’s Veterans’ Program can be summed up as: “we help others, and accidentally help ourselves along the way.” Our program is founded on the basis that many Veterans – as well as active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and first responders – want to continue serving their country, even after they take off their uniform. There are many great organizations for them to continue this service; however, SPIRIT’s mission, and the attributes required to make it succeed, have a special resonance with the service member population. Our Veterans Program allows participants to use their skills to help others, while growing throughout the process.
Occupational Therapy
Incorporating Hippotherapy
Incorporating hippotherapy into occupational therapy sessions can add in targeting the strength, muscle coordination, sensory processing skills, and cognitive skills necessary for participating in activities of daily living and general attention tasks. The use of hippotherapy as a tool or strategy under the direction of a therapist has been reported to increase motivation and participation in treatment, as well as showing social emotional benefits when combined with other elements of a plan of care.
SPIRIT Academy
Education, Training, and Certification Program
SPIRIT Academy Program provides an opportunity for the public, mental health professionals, counselors, life coaches, and riding instructors to learn how to use interaction with horses (mounted or unmounted) in therapy or therapeutic programs.
- Gain knowledge and skills in horsemanship and a variety of activities to be able to facilitate equine-assisted therapies, equine-assisted learning, therapeutic horsemanship, and therapeutic riding.
- Earn continuing education credits for NBCC or EAA service provider roles.
Focus Areas
- Equestrian/Horsemanship Training – Basic mounted and groundwork horsemanship skills
- EAP – Lectures and workshops about basic activities for service providers/therapists (psychotherapists and counselors)
- EAL – Lectures and workshops for service providers/facilitators (life coaches and riding instructors)
- TR – Lectures and Workshops for service providers/instructors (riding instructors)
History and Reports
- 2021 Annual Report
- 2020 Annual Report
- 2020 Financial Report
- 2019 Annual Report
- 2019 Financial Report
- 2018 Annual Report
- 2018 Financial Report
- 2017 Annual Report
- 2017 Financial Report
- 2017 Chairman’s Letter
- 1023 Form as 501(c)(3)