Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Saratoga Springs that provides a home for retired racehorses that have sustained injuries and are no longer suitable for a riding career, was recently awarded a VA Adaptive Sports Grant through the Freedom Rein Project.
The Freedom Rein Project is a military equine therapy program that provides service members an opportunity to explore challenges and achieve goals in a therapeutic environment un-restricted by office walls and fully-emersed in working with horses who are keen observers and gentle guides. The grant will allow Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga to provide free equine therapy to any VA eligible service member.
According to Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, this type of care is not covered by insurance and the cost has been a barrier in the past for many service members who are struggling with PTSD, lack of connection in civilian life, communication issues and regaining trust among other issues.
In partnership with Licensed Mental Health Providers at ECS Psychological Services P.C., each participant is paired one on one or in group offerings to discuss individual goals while working with our clinicians and therapy horses. The participant will also be assisted by an Equine Specialist who is a guide to gain more horse behavior knowledge and create a healing bond between participants and these beautiful animals.
For service members interested in signing up for equine therapy, please contact ECS Psychological Services at (518) 580-0520 or intake@ecsps.com.
To learn more about Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga, visit https://thsaratoga.org/
