The practice and accreditation of Therapeutic Horse Riding includes a range of horse-related activities that are beneficial for people living with disabilities. TROtt offers three categories of programs that provide a spectrum of opportunities and benefits. Each program incorporates a different balance of therapy, sport and learning and is delivered by certified instructors or coaches.
1. Traditional Therapeutic Riding
Riding Skills
Riders are encouraged to develop functional riding skills with a therapeutic benefit. Qualified instructors, assisted by volunteers, teach riding lessons tailored to the riders’ abilities and requirements. Riding Skills classes are conducted in small groups of up to four riders.
Developmental Riding
A trained instructor encourages the rider’s movement or sensory exploration through a variety of developmental motor, perceptual motor and other sensory and sequencing activities and games. This is carried out in small groups up to four riders, with the activities tailored to the goals for each individual.
Learn more here about traditional therapeutic riding, including benefits
2. Equine Assisted Learning
Equine-assisted learning (EAL) is an experiential learning approach using horses and the horse facility to promote well-being and the development of life skills relevant to educational, professional or personal goals.
Horse Connections
TROtt currently offers ground-based (no riding) EAL programs for individuals or groups living with disabilities or injuries wishing to pursue personal well-being goals. EAL may involve only one session or a series of sessions, depending on the participants’ learning and development goals.
Community agencies, clinicians and Individuals are encouraged to contact us to discuss how EAL could benefit you or your clients.
Nancy’s Sensory Trail
Nancy’s Sensory Trail includes three connected paths through our lovely rural property. They are accessible by horseback riding, walking or using a wheelchair. The paths provide the sensory benefits of being in nature and are enriched with specific sensory stations to stimulate learning, development, awareness and physical coordination by Trail users. The paths will be used in our traditional therapeutic riding as well as for individuals and groups in EAL sessions. The trails serve an added benefit of providing stimulation for our horses. (Launching Sept. 2023)
Coming Soon: Horse Powered Reading™
Students from elementary grades will interact with horses from the ground, while using toys and props to learn five critical reading skills. We use a trademarked methodology called “Horse Powered Reading®”. The program will launch in Oct. 2023.
Learn more here about equine-assisted learning including Horse Powered Reading™
3. Para-Riding, Adaptive Riding and Recreation
Coaching Para-Riding and Adaptive Riding
Riders living with disabilities are trained by our certified coaches, in order to improve their riding skills and achieve standardized riding level certifications. They may or may not participate in competitions, depending on their personal goals. Therapeutic riding centres like TROtt are part of the eco-system advancing para-sport athletes.
Special Olympics
Our Special Olympics program is delivered in partnership with Special Olympics Ontario, dedicated to enriching the lives of people with an intellectual disability. Participants in our Special Olympics program are coached in riding, horsemanship and show skills that prepare them for in-person or virtual competitions with other riders across Ontario (next to be November 2023). TROtt also hosts periodic in-person Special Olympics competitions, as resources permit.
Summer Camp
Children and youth living with disabilities have a great time at our horse- and stable-focused summer camp.
Watch our website, Facebook and Instagram for additional recreational opportunities through the year.
