A program designed to help wounded veterans and autistic children, which suffered a set back when three of its therapy horses were stabbed last month, will resume this Saturday even though the horses have not healed and a suspect has not been caught.

Spirit, one of the horses that was stabbed April 25, is recovering. WTOP/Hank Silverberg Lucinda, another of the three horses that was stabbed April 25. She is recovering well, owners say. WTOP/Hank Silverberg Lucinda was stabbed April 25, along with two other horses at Spirit Open Equestrian Program. WTOP File Spirit, seen shortly after she was stabbed April 25 at the Spirit Open Equestrian Program in Reston, Va. WTOP File The three horses stabbed at a Reston, Va. nonprofit are used as therapy horses autistic kids and disabled adults. Courtesy Spirit Open Equestrian Program The Spirit Open Equestrian Program has six horses total, but only two small enough for children, both of which were attacked along with one larger horse. Courtesy Spirit Open Equestrian Program The horses that were stabbed at the Spirit Open Equestrian Program are used in a therapeutic riding center for autistic kids and disabled adults. Courtesy Spirit Open Equestrian Program ( 1 /7) Share This Gallery: Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share via email. Print.

Hank Silverberg, wtop.com

HERNDON, Va. – A program designed to help wounded veterans and autistic children, which suffered a set back when three of its therapy horses were stabbed last month, will resume this Saturday even though the horses have not healed and a suspect has not been caught.

The three horses from the Spirit Open Equestrian Program have had some set backs from their wounds.

Davorka Suvak, program director and founder of the program, says it has been hard to keep the wounds stitched and the warm weather has attracted a swarm of flies. But she says the community has rallied around Spirit, Lucinda and Tess.

“They kept their sweet nature. They still trust people, they are willing to serve kids,” she says. “I think actually they are missing their job.”

The program will resume 10 a.m. Saturday at Frying Pan Park, though several horses will come from other places since Spirit, Lucinda and Tess can not yet carry riders.

The program is therapy for autistic kids and disabled adults.They had been serving about 40 clients when the stabbing took place in April.

Fairfax County Police say they have not been able to track down a suspect but a community group is offering a $1,000 reward for information.

It is believed the man who stabbed the horses was injured by one of them.

Frying Pan Park officials say a white man was seen stumbling around the park around 11 a.m. on April 26. He is described as about 5 feet 8 inches and 160 pounds. Police don’t know if he was involved in the incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call Fairfax County Police 703-691-2131.

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