Welcome to
Equine Connection Center!
ECC is a proud member of the following organizations supporting equine welfare and positive relationships between people & horses:
Equine Connection Center is an educational equine sanctuary in Nokesville, Virginia, offering farm membership, in-hand horsemanship lessons (EAL), and professional counseling & mental health services (EAP).
Our rescued horses, donkeys, and mules help individuals and families achieve personal growth, mental wellness, build relationships, boost confidence, and practice mindfulness. Join us to experience the powerful connection that can be developed between humans and equines!
Our Programs
In-Hand Programs
Engage hands-on with our facilitators and equine partners to learn basic horsemanship as well as foster personal growth, confidence, and mindfulness. Our relationship-based approach emphasizes building meaningful connections between humans and horses in a safe and empowering environment.
Mental Health Services
Our Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) program is now accepting clients on a limited basis. Work with our licensed mental health professionals and equine partners to build healthy coping skills for anxiety, depression, ADHD, and more.
Herd Membership
Always dreamed of owning a horse of your own? Make a meaningful impact in the life of a rescue equine by becoming a herd member to sponsor their care as if they were your own! Enjoy exclusive access to the sanctuary, help care for, and bond with our rescue equines when it’s convenient for you. All the perks, without the responsibility! Join our community and enjoy all the wellness benefits of the sanctuary!
More about ECC:
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Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) is a purposeful and evidence-based practice that harnesses the powerful connection between humans and horses. Studies have shown that engaging with horses in a supportive environment fosters emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy. Equine-assisted learning can benefit anyone of all ages and abilities. Participants in EAL at Equine Connection Center can expect to experience an research-backed educational approach in sessions as they learn to work with equine partner in a variety of activities, led by a licensed educator. Our EAL sessions foster personal growth, confidence, and independence through skill-building in unmounted horsemanship. Learn more about our EAL programs for personal growth and wellness. Learn more about our EAL programs for personal growth and wellness.
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Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is professional counseling and mental health services provided by a licensed mental health professional. Sessions are typically coordinated and supported by both the mental health professional and an equine specialist, in support of the client’s specific goals and needs. Our providers specialized in the mental health needs of children, teens, and women, as well as individuals with special needs. Our approaches are trauma-informed and we are happy to work collaboratively with families and other healthcare providers. Learn more about our mental health programs. Learn more about our mental health programs.
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Our EAL programs are conducted exclusively through non-riding, in-hand interactions with rescued equines. Our rescue animals’ unique perspectives and histories are especially relatable to anyone experiencing their own challenges.
Our sessions are designed to offer custom tailored experiences for our clients, with the goal of achieving research-backed benefits of human-horse interactions, including improved self-esteem, enhanced communication skills, and increased overall wellness.
Traditional riding programs often are not designed to foster a connection between the horse and the participant, and do not incorporate the important handling and care skills needed to comprehensively understand horses. Even if you are taking riding lessons already, you can benefit from sessions at Equine Connection Center because of the unique and relaxed hands-on approach used in our sessions. We are not a competitive program and participants are met where they are at each time they visit; we encourage everyone to move at their own pace!
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We are a woman-owned, start-up small business. At this time, we are not a 501(c)(3) charity as we are investing personally in the success of our programs through our own capital. We hope to eventually move toward a non-profit charity structure as our organization grows over time. Please still consider providing monetary support as we get established. We are committed to transparency and all funds from our services support the horses either directly, or indirectly by supporting our team.
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We are a community and we hope you will join us! We offer Herd Membership as a way to get involved and support the farm, as well as Volunteer Opportunities. Please reach out to learn more!