Lessons
Our riding program is recognized and sanctioned by CANTRA, The Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association. All lessons are individual – one instructor, one student.
Lessons vary in length from 20 to 60 minutes. For our very young riders (we have had a few riders as young as 2) we generally are unable to work more than 20 to 30 minutes on the horse. Riding a horse is hard work and requires a great deal of physical effort, so our littles ones naturally tire more quickly.
For older riders, most lessons consist of three segments. Before riding, students help their instructor with grooming and tacking up the horse. The riding portion of the lessons that has been pre-planned by the instructor to meet the needs of the individual student follows this. At the end of the lesson the student helps untack the horse. These lessons will generally last 45 to 60 minutes depending on the riders abilities, attention span and physical abilities. Our bilingual instructors custom design every lesson with the specific needs of the rider. As we work with children we incorporate a great deal of “play” during our lessons. We incorporate many cognitive skills within our lessons on horseback using colors, numbers, letters, matching & memory games and ball playing. Not only are our riders receiving the physical benefits of riding they are also getting lots of other benefits at the same time.
The lessons are designed to work various muscle groups to improve physical health, reduce muscle spasticity, increase balance, build muscle strength, and sharpen hand-eye coordination. They also help the rider improve his or her social skills, language, self esteem, independance and self-confidence as they experience a freedom never felt before. You may be wondering how someone with limited mobility can safely ride a horse. Well, it takes a lot of love and dedication on the part of our team.
It starts with our horses, which have been carefully selected for their calm and nurturing disposition. They are then trained at the Center to accept our special students. Normally the instructor is assisted throughout the lesson by as many as three volunteers, “A Leader” leads the horse, keeping it under control at all times, and follows the directions of the instructor. The other volunteers serve as “Side Walkers”. Their job is to walk beside the rider, and support the rider as needed.
The health and safety of our students is our first concern at all times. It is mandatory that all riders wear approved safety helmets and some may require more specialized equipment.
