Therapeutic Riding Program

 **Siblings of therapy riders may register to ride in classes to promote family focused activities**

Each lesson is 1 hour long, and consists of stretching/riding skills, and/or a trail ride. The therapy program runs monthly from March - November. In our lessons we use obstacles, and games to help children develop their cognitive and dexterity skills. Lessons are open to riders 3 and up, who have a disability. We allow siblings of therapy riders to join the riding lessons, to promote family bonding, and joined activities.

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 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  
 

The riding instructor is 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 with assistance from the instructor, and mount the horse. Riders must also be able to  maintain an upright sitting position for the hour 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 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 at G&E Pharmacy in Edmonton (Least expensive I have found), or we have some available to use. Bike Helmets are not acceptable**

Cost $225/Month + GST (4 lessons per month, we do not ride on long weekends)

Programs run May-June & September-October

Classes fill up fast - in order to secure a spot, please email us at missionridgetherapy@gmail.com

Now accepting registration - 

Sunday's at 3-4pm & 4-5pm