Freedom Reins

Supporting our returning military veterans who have served our country bravely and courageously is a priority at Rising Hope TRC.

What is Freedom Reins?

Our Freedom Reins Program is dedicated to connecting veterans with healing through equine-assisted activities and veteran services. This program is designed to foster a healing relationship between you and a horse, starting with foundational sessions on horse education and building trust—completely free of charge.

Each participant, like each horse, is unique, and throughout the program, you'll learn to communicate and respond to your horse’s behavior, while they learn to connect with you. The skills and lessons you develop on the ground will seamlessly transition into riding, where the physical and emotional benefits are enhanced.

As you bond with your horse, you’ll discover their individual personalities and learn how they see and respond to you, just as you are on that day.

Two horses with a U.S. flag background, one dark horse in focus, one lighter horse blurred.

Why Equine Therapy?

The horse naturally promotes strong trust characteristics and calm responsive communication. With staggering statistics of sever suffering and depression plaguing our veteran heroes, equine therapy has been a shining light into the darkness. Rising Hope is embracing the opportunity to support our veterans and hope many will benefit from this program.

Person riding a horse indoors, wearing a helmet, with an American flag in the background.

“As prey animals, horses are hypervigilant until they learn they are not in danger. Unlike with many dogs, who trust unconditionally, horses require humans to work to gain their trust. Because of their own hypervigilance, [those] with PTSD easily understand and can relate to the trust and hypervigilance in a horse.”

— Rehabilitation Research & Development (JRRD)

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“The Rising Hope veteran program has been able to give my husband a healthy outlet for his PTSD triggers.”

Man sitting on grass next to a horse grazing, in a fenced field
Man in camo clothes with Belgian draft horse in indoor arena with American flag

Want to help our veterans receive cost-free equine-assisted services?

Piebald horse in front of blurred American flag overlay, with greenery in background.
Person riding a white horse in a fenced outdoor arena with trees in the background under a blue sky.
Person riding a horse in a paddock at sunset, with leafless trees in the background.
Person wearing a helmet horseback riding indoors near a basketball hoop.
Man grooming a horse with a brush inside a stable.
Person wearing a blue bandana next to a horse's nose with its mane covering part of its face.
Person standing with a large brown draft horse in a barn, leaning against its neck.
Man observing horse in enclosure outdoors
Two people wearing helmets standing with their horses in an outdoor setting with trees in the background.
Group of people walking miniature horses on a gravel path in a rural setting, with trees in the background.
Person training a black horse in a round pen with autumn trees in the background.
Man in gray hoodie and black cap outdoors with autumn foliage background.
Man standing next to a large horse in an indoor stable with American flag on the wall.
Person leading a black shire horse in an outdoor arena with wooden fencing.
Person riding a white horse indoors
Person riding a black horse in an outdoor arena.
Man with a helmet standing next to a horse in an indoor arena.
Woman washing a spotted horse with a hose in a rural setting.
Person training a horse with a stick in a round pen
Person handling a chestnut horse with white markings in a paddock.
Person training a large horse indoors
Person riding a black and white horse with a handler in a lush green forest background
Person with black horse indoors
Person holding a sign that says 'Grateful' next to a horse in a stable.
Person training a horse inside a metal pen with autumn forest in background.
Man in camouflage outfit with helmet standing beside a horse in an indoor stable.
Woman riding a white horse in an indoor arena with an instructor
Two people walking two horses on a wooded path in autumn.
Person with brown horse in fenced equestrian arena, two horses grazing in background, trees without leaves.
Group of adults with horse and dog indoors under American flag