Veterans find healing on horseback

The burden of war often follows veterans home, where traditional therapy and medicine don’t always reach. But as Adam Longo reports for ABC 7, in the peaceful countryside of Loudoun County, Virginia, a different kind of therapy is turning the tide — one hoofbeat at a time. 

At Loudoun Therapeutic Riding (LTR), a 90-acre thoroughbred horse farm in Lovettsville, veterans like Phyllis Stalensky are finding healing. Phyllis, a retired Marine from the Gulf War era, was diagnosed with PTSD years after returning from service. She once feared leaving her home — until she discovered LTR. 

“This is what saved my life,” she says as she prepares Fabio, a 25-year-old retired racehorse, for her weekly session. Phyllis credits the program not only with rebuilding her confidence but also with giving her purpose. 

“The confidence of being out in the world and being social is what I had lost,” she shares. “It feels like confidence again. I’ve got my old confidence back.” LTR doesn’t just stand for Loudoun Therapeutic Riding — officials say it also represents 'Love, Trust, and Respect', values that guide every interaction between veterans, volunteers, and the horses. 

Kate Baker, an Army veteran and member of LTR’s Board of Directors, says the horse-human bond provides a kind of emotional grounding that many veterans struggle to find elsewhere. “Therapy with the horses provides this safety zone,” Baker explains. “For those individuals, it gives them a safe place to reconnect with society.” 

For Marine veteran Jim Kuiken, the farm became a lifeline. After serving in seven wars across a 30-year career, Jim found himself in emotional freefall. A service dog named Freedom helped pull him out, but when Freedom passed away last year, the loss hit hard. 

“He was kind of feeling lost and not able to have that one-on-one connection,” Baker says. That changed when Jim met Cosmo, a gentle therapy horse. "These guys radiate love. They help you stay grounded,” Kuiken says. “I don’t remember a lot of stuff. But I do remember the feeling I get when I’m with them, and that helps carry me through.” 

LTR’s commitment to veterans extends beyond its riding sessions. Every September, the organization hosts its 'Heroes First Fair' — a free event open to the public, specifically welcoming veterans, first responders and active-duty military. The fair introduces attendees to various support organizations local to LTR’s facility and serves as a valuable opportunity for connection and community engagement. 

Despite the profound impact of its programs, LTR is still growing. The organization is currently seeking donations to expand its ADA-compliant facilities, ensuring that all veterans, regardless of physical ability, can access this unique form of therapy. 

Veterans like Phyllis and Jim now spend about 90 minutes a week on the farm. For them, it’s the highlight of their week — and a critical step in managing their mental health. “There is no doubt I’d still be in that dark place,” Stalensky says. “This is what saved my life.” In Loudoun County, Virginia, this sanctuary of 'Love, Trust, and Respect' continues to change lives — one ride at a time.