Rainbow Therapy

What Rainbow Therapy does

Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1984 by Fran Simmons, operating from a 16198 Silver Lake Road, Haymarket, Virginia facility. The center delivers equine-assisted therapy and adaptive riding services to children and adults with special needs, individuals with speech-language disorders, military veterans and active-duty service members, and at-risk youth from partner community organizations. The organization maintains roughly eight therapy horses and serves more than 300 students and families annually, supported by a paid staff of approximately six employees and a large volunteer base. Operations are conducted in partnership with PATH International for instructor certification standards and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for veteran programming.

The revenue model is heavily diversified, combining program tuition, charitable donations, corporate sponsorships, tiered horse sponsorships, planned giving, and merchandise sales. Standard therapeutic riding lessons are priced at $165, while specialized speech-language-pathology (SLP) lessons—delivered jointly by PATH-certified instructors and licensed SLP therapists—command $275 per lesson. Tuition contributes less than half of total revenue, with philanthropic contributions and fundraising making up the majority. Sponsorship tiers include gold ($5,000), silver ($2,500), and bronze ($1,250) levels, and the organization maintains institutional partnerships with schools, youth service organizations, and corporate donors.

The center operates an ADA-compliant facility with an 11-stall barn and serves as a regional hub for equine-assisted therapy in Northern Virginia. Its core service methodology relies on credentialed instructors and carefully trained therapy horses rather than any technology platform, with clinical outcomes driven by individualized lesson programming. The organization's strategic positioning combines direct service delivery, community-based referral partnerships, and a fundraising-driven operating model that has enabled four decades of continuous operation.

Name

Rainbow Therapy

Legal name

Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center

Website

https://rainbowriding.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Haymarket, Virginia that delivers equine-assisted therapy and adaptive riding to children and adults with special needs, veterans, and at-risk youth, serving 300+ families annually through tuition, donations, and sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Therapeutic Riding / Equine-Assisted Services

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)

SIC

Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Veterinary Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy Centers (HLAMACAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sport/Show Horse Training & Performance Programs (AFAEAGAF), Equine Care & Stable Management (EDAOAOAE)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted therapy
• Therapeutic horseback riding
• Adaptive riding programs
• Special needs riding lessons
• Veterans equine therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Haymarket

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Lesson Tuition: Weekly riding lessons where tuition covers only a portion of total costs. Less than half of Rainbow's revenues come from tuition and program income.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Majority of revenue comes from donations, fundraising events, and community support. Annual fundraisers include Give Local Piedmont, Give Choose Day, Fun Show, and direct donation campaigns.
3. Horse Sponsorship Programs: Gold Sponsorship ($5,000/year), Silver Sponsorship ($2,500/year), Blue Ribbon ($up to $1,000), Bronze Sponsorship ($1,250 for 3 months). Covers feed, hay, supplements, veterinary care, and farrier costs.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partnerships for companies seeking to align with Rainbow's mission. Contact for custom sponsorship opportunities.
5. Planned Giving: Estate planning contributions for donors who wish to include Rainbow in their legacy giving.
6. Merchandise Sales: T-shirts, hoodies, winter beanies, and other merchandise with portion of profits supporting therapeutic riding program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center delivers equine-assisted activities and therapeutic horseback riding lessons led by PATH-certified instructors, using a curated herd of therapy horses to help students with physical, developmental, cognitive, social, educational, mental health, and behavioral challenges achieve individualized goals. The center operates specialized program tracks for children/teens, adults, military veterans, youth community partners, and visiting field-trip groups, supplemented by subsidized lesson tuition, horse sponsorship programs, and charitable fundraising.

Product overview

Rainbow Therapeutic Riding Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1985 that provides therapeutic horseback riding and equine assisted activities. The core offering is the Therapeutic Riding Program, which is supplemented by specialized programs for Military and Veterans, Children and Teens, Adults, and Youth Community Partners. Additional services include Field Trips and Horse Sponsorship. The program utilizes a carefully selected and trained herd of therapy horses, with instructors certified through PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International). Students ages 4 and up receive customized lesson plans with volunteer support, working toward physical, cognitive, social, educational, and mental health goals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Therapeutic Riding Program Equine-assisted activities using horses to achieve physical, cognitive, social, educational, mental health and behavioral goals for individuals with special challenges. Includes riding lessons, ground work, and horse care activities.
• Child and Teen Program Specialized programming for children and teens with physical, cognitive and mental health challenges including developmental disabilities, Down syndrome, ADD/ADHD, cerebral palsy, and learning disabilities. Minimum rider age is 4 years.
• Adult Program Equine-assisted activities for adults facing challenges such as autism, multiple sclerosis, stroke, dementia, sensory processing disorder, and mental health issues, with personalized riding and groundwork plans.
• Military and Veterans Riding Program Therapeutic riding and groundwork lessons specifically designed for veterans with physical and cognitive injuries, disabilities and/or emotional trauma including PTSD, traumatic brain injury, addiction, and survivors of abuse. Scholarships are available.
• Youth Community Partner Programs Partnership programs with FAPT, Youth For Tomorrow, and Fauquier High School Transitions Program for children and youth struggling with mental health, behavioral issues, and special education students ages 18-22.
• Field Trips Community outreach field trips for Girl and Boy Scout Troops, schools, homeschoolers, church and community groups, special education programs, and corporate groups. Activities can be tailored from horse education to equine-assisted activities.
• Horse Sponsorship Program Sponsorship tiers supporting therapy horse care including Gold Full Sponsorship ($5,000/year), Silver Partial Sponsorship ($2,500), Bronze Three Month Sponsorship ($1,250), and Blue Ribbon (up to $1,000).

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ children, adolescents, and adults served annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• PATH Intl. (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll Rainbow instructors are certified through PATH Intl., meeting rigorous standards including exams and continuing education courses. PATH Intl. sets the standards for therapeutic horsemanship worldwide.
• Youth For TomorrowcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRainbow offers innovative programs for children and youth struggling with mental health and behavioral issues in partnership with Youth For Tomorrow's residential facility. Programs help create positive opportunities for youth who need it most.
• FAPT (Family Assessment and Planning Team)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRainbow works closely with surrounding counties' FAPT case workers to provide therapeutic programs for children and youth with mental health and behavioral challenges that impact their everyday lives.
• Fauquier County Public Schools Transitions ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Transitions Program serves special education students ages 18-22, providing hands-on work experience and life skills development through therapeutic riding activities.
• Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier CountiesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizes the Give Choose Day of giving - a 24-hour community giving event. Works with more than 30 community foundations in Virginia and almost 1,000 across America. Helps nonprofits access community giving infrastructure.
• Give Local PiedmontflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor annual fundraiser where Rainbow participates to receive donations from the community. Early giving opens before the main event day. Goal typically set around $10,000.
• Walter Reed Medical CentercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRainbow serves wounded warriors from Walter Reed Medical Center through its Military and Veterans Riding Program, providing therapeutic riding to service personnel with physical and cognitive injuries.
• Double D TrailersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDouble D Trailers included Rainbow in their Equine Therapy Center Directory, providing promotional support and visibility for the therapeutic riding center.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.): Industry certifying body and trade association for therapeutic horsemanship. Relevant as the standards-setting organization governing Rainbow's instructor certification and the broader therapeutic riding industry.

Direct peers

• Mane Stream (formerly Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center): New Jersey-based PATH Intl. Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center providing equine-assisted services to individuals with special needs. Directly comparable in mission, accreditation, and nonprofit funding model.
• High Horses Therapeutic Riding Program: Vermont-based PATH Intl. affiliated therapeutic riding nonprofit serving children and adults with disabilities. Closely comparable in scale, programmatic offerings, and reliance on donations and volunteer support.
• Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center: Ohio-based PATH Intl. Premier Accredited therapeutic riding nonprofit. Directly comparable as a single-site equine therapy organization serving diverse populations including children, adults, and veterans with disabilities.
• Saddle Up! Therapeutic Riding Stables: Franklin, Tennessee-based nonprofit therapeutic riding program serving children and adults with disabilities. Comparable as a PATH-affiliated, donation-funded equine therapy organization of similar scale.
• Therapeutic Horsemanship of Hawaii: Hawaii-based PATH Intl. Premier Accredited therapeutic riding nonprofit. Comparable as a nonprofit equine-assisted therapy organization serving individuals with special needs on a single site.
• Hearts & Horses Therapeutic Riding Center: Colorado-based PATH Intl. Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center serving riders with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Closely comparable in mission, programmatic structure, and reliance on donations and volunteers.
• Cheff Therapeutic Riding Center: Michigan-based PATH Intl. Premier Accredited therapeutic riding center founded in 1990. Highly comparable as a nonprofit therapeutic riding organization serving children and adults with disabilities through equine-assisted activities.
• BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding & Educational Center: Largest therapeutic riding center in the US, based in Illinois. Directly comparable as a PATH Intl. affiliated equine-assisted therapy provider serving individuals with disabilities and veterans through horse-based programming.
• Brightwater Equine-Assisted Therapy: Oregon-based nonprofit offering equine-assisted therapy and horsemanship programs for individuals with disabilities and mental health needs. Comparable as a donation-supported therapeutic riding center.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/rainbowriding.org
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rainbow-therapy

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rainbow Therapy