Who We Are
Free Rein is a place where horses and people come together to build strength, confidence, and connection. Through adaptive and therapeutic equine experiences, we create a supportive environment where individuals of all abilities can grow, thrive, and discover what's possible.
Overview
Free Rein Therapeutic Riding is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in Spokane, Washington dedicated to providing health, hope, and happiness through equine-assisted services. We are the largest program in the area recognized by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH Intl.), a credentialing organization that defines safety, education, and professional standards for equine-assisted services around the world.
About PATH, Intl.
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH Intl.) provides training, certification, and accreditation for adaptive and therapeutic riding instructors and centers that offer programs such as adaptive riding, equine-assisted learning, and equine-assisted therapy. Their guidelines help ensure that programs operate with the highest standards for participant safety, horse welfare, and instructor professionalism.
Our History
Free Rein Therapeutic Riding was founded in 2008 with a handful of riders, a few borrowed horses, and in the backyard of a local volunteer. Our founder, Sandy Jones, moved from Seattle where she had witnessed firsthand the profound impact horses can have on a rider's strength, independence, and sense of freedom. Inspired by that experience, she brought a vision to Spokane - to make adaptive riding and healing horsemanship accessible to those who could benefit most.
Since then, we have operated out of a handful of facilities in the Spokane area:
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2008 - 2016 Westar
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2016 - 2019 Spokane Equestrian Center
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2020 - 2022 Medicine Horse Stables
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2022 - now In Cahoots
We are grateful to each of the facility owners that have welcomed and supported our program, and we look forward to one day owning a home of our own!
What WE Do
Through intentional, individualized sessions led by qualified instructors and supported by trained and dedicated volunteers, participants build physical strength, coordination, and balance while also developing confidence, communication skills, and independence. Each interaction - whether in the saddle or on the ground - is designed to meet riders where they are and help them grow in meaningful, lasting ways.
The impact reaches far beyond the arena. Riders gain a sense of accomplishment, connection, and self-belief that carries into everyday life, while families find encouragement and community. This work matters because it creates opportunities that might not otherwise exist - helping individuals discover their abilities, form powerful bonds, and experience the freedom and joy that come from partnering with a horse.