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TROTT - Therapeutic Riding Association of Ottawa-Carleton

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Dakota

Gender: Gelding

Breed: Quarter horse

Colour: Sorrel with a star and strip

Size: 14.3hh

Year born: 1994

I arrived at TROtt in November 2001

Also known as “Splash of Doc”

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How do we measure horse height? Find out it this

How do we measure horse height?

Find out it this week’s TidBit Tuesday!

To measure horses, we use a unit known as a hand, abbreviated as “h” or “hh”. One hand equates to 4 inches.

Height is measured at the highest point of the horse’s back, known as the withers.

Did you know, Abby (pictured) is 15.2 hh?

#TidBitTuesday #therapeuticriding #therapeuticridingcenter #therapyhorse #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horse #pony #clydesdale #warmblood #ottawahorses #ottawaequestrian #Ottawa

The rainbow was well worth the rainy weekend 🌈

The rainbow was well worth the rainy weekend 🌈

Our costume contest is now live! Thank you to ever

Our costume contest is now live! Thank you to everyone who submitted costume ideas!

Vote for your favourite costumes until midnight on Halloween, and if you can, donate to help make this years Halloween extra sweet for the TROtt herd.

You can vote and donate through the link in the bio.

Welcome back to another TidBit Tuesday! Did you k

Welcome back to another TidBit Tuesday!

Did you know, horses can eat a variety of grains such as oats, barley, and corn? 🌽

Depending on the horse’s needs they will be given different types and amounts.

#TidBitTuesday #therapeuticriding #therapeuticridingcenter #therapyhorse #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horse #pony #ottawahorses #ottawaequestrian #Ottawa

From our herd to yours, we want to wish everyone a

From our herd to yours, we want to wish everyone a happy Thanksgiving!

Students enrolled in a Discover Year program are r

Students enrolled in a Discover Year program are running a bottle drive fundraiser for TROtt as part of a school project.

As you gather with family this weekend, we want to ask that you save any bottles and cans to support their project and our program.

They can be reached at trottfundraiser@gmail.com to arrange for one (or more!) pickups.

We are so grateful that they chose to support our program with their project!

Welcome back to another TidBit Tuesday! You may h

Welcome back to another TidBit Tuesday!

You may have seen chaps, like those worn by cowboys, but have you ever heard of a half chap?

Like full chaps, half chaps are usually made of leather. However, unlike full chaps they do not cover the entire length of a rider’s leg. Worn over paddock boots, half chaps come up just below the knee and are often fastened with an outward-facing zipper.

Half chaps are typically used by English style riders. They cover up any gap between the pants and boots, prevent chafing, and provide the look and feel of a tall boot with less of the expense.

Did you know, half chaps have also been called equestrian gaiters?

#TidBitTuesday #therapeuticriding #therapeuticridingcenter #therapyhorse #horsesofinstagram #equestrian #horse #pony #ottawahorses #ottawaequestrian #Ottawa

The leaves are changing, reminding us we need to f

The leaves are changing, reminding us we need to flip our calendars to October.

When you flip your TROtt calendars to October, you'll see Chica, who had a career as a western games competition horse before coming to TROtt. She's transitioned well and earlier this year placed 1st with her rider in a Para Dressage video competition.

Time flies when you're having fun! Recently Jess c

Time flies when you're having fun! Recently Jess celebrated 20 years volunteering at TROtt.
Jess has been a tireless advocate for TROtt and has always been there to lend a helping hand wherever we needed.

When asked what made her decide to volunteer, Jess said, "I had just started grade 9, and needed 40 hours of community service for school in order to graduate. Two friends from my riding lessons volunteered at TROtt already, so I went with them one week to watch and see if I'd like it, and the rest, as they say, is history!"

Since 2001, Jess has had many roles including photographer, horse handler, side walker, Saturday barn person, barn employee, tack conditioner, archivist, horse committee member, and exercise rider.

When talking about her roles, she said, "I think my favourite is probably exercise riding! It's the only saddle time I get these days, and knowing I'm helping keep the horses in shape so that they can keep doing their jobs with the therapy riders makes it that much more enjoyable."

Jess has taken hundreds of photos over the years, but her favourite was taken for the 2018 Calendar of Sam in Paddock 5. She said, "The snow was untouched when we took him in there, and it was cold enough to see his breath. I love that series of photos of him so much I plan on getting one of them blown up and framed someday!"

Having been at TROtt for 20 years, Jess has made many memories she fondly looks back one, Her favourite though happened during one of the "fun days" we hosted in the early and mid 2000's. She said, "I remember leading one of the ponies, and my little rider, who was maybe 7 or 8, said in the middle of the game "I'm having so much fun!" and that right there solidified why I continue to volunteer at TROtt after all of these years...to help the riders enjoy their time on horseback. It's a memory that still warms my heart to this day."

We are so thankful that she has shared her talents with us, and for all the time Jess has volunteered at TROtt. She has always been there to lend a helping hand and support our staff, board members and fellow volunteers.

You can read the full feature on our Facebook page.

Contact Us

Address

6362-1 Bank St. (Highway 31)
Greely, Ontario
K4P 1J4

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