Therapeutic Riding Program

Therapeutic riding has been used to help people with many disabilities. Some benefits to riders include: 

- Increase of physical strength

- Improved Communication

- Improved Motor skills

- Improved Social skills 

- Improves responses to verbal, and external stimuli, while promoting a sense of relaxation and accomplishment.

Although the horses are typically led during the lessons, the riders learn to communicate with the horse through voice, use of reins for steering, and leg for movement. Activities in addition to learning basic riding skills may include: 

Strength and dexterity work through reaching and moving objects, increased memory, and team work through scavenger hunts & playing games. Physical benefits manifest in better posture, balance, and strength as a horses movement mimics the pelvic movement of a human.  
 

Disabilities benefiting from horse therapy include, but are not limited to:

 - ADD/ADHD 

- Down`s syndrome

- Cognitive Impairment 

- Autism 

- Amputations 

- Cerebral palsy 

- Behavioural problems due to physical or mental abuse 

- Behaviour problems and Learning disabilities.

- Emotional problems 

- Hearing, speech and visual impairments 

- Orthopaedic Conditions  
 

Instructors are certified through the Canadian Therapeutic  Riding Association (CanTRA). We are limited to a mounting block for mounting riders onto horses. Due to our limitations in equipment, riders must physically be able to step up on the mounting block and mount the horse with assistance from the instructor.

Riders must also be able to  maintain an upright sitting position for the ~1hour long lesson. 

Therapeutic riding generally requires 2-3 volunteers per rider in the form of leaders and side walkers. We encourage parents to lead or sidewalk during their child's riding lesson. Sidewalker's support, and help the rider as needed to perform the lesson tasks, and its a great way for parents to be part of their children's activities. We provide volunteer training.

**All riders must be wearing covered footwear with a heel (approx 1-1.5 inches), and must wear a riding helmet (ASTM/SEI certified equestrian  helmet). These can be purchased on Amazon, at Greenhawk or G&E Pharmacy in Edmonton. We have some available to use but encourage riders to buy their own that are fitted for them.** Bike Helmets are not acceptable**

We operate our programs out of Meadow Ridge Equestrian at 51303 Range Road 262, Spruce Grove.

Please inquire via email for further information