About the Therapeutic Riding Program

Everyone is invited to the Benefit Schooling Show on Sunday, July 27th. Please take a look at our Calendar of Events for a detailed program.

More than just a pony ride, therapeutic riding is a unique program that uses horses as therapists. While learning riding and horsemanship skills adults, youth and children with developmental, cognitive, mental, physical, emotional and social challenges gain a host of benefits. We have seen participants in the program improve in such areas as self-confidence, balance and coordination as well as learning a new skill and getting exercise in the process.

Therapeutic riding is a volunteer intensive activity some riders may need as many as four volunteers one to lead the horse, one on each side and one behind. We have been fortunate to have a number of very dedicated volunteers who have been essential to the success of this program.

Prior to the very first session, Jane James, Program Director for the Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association performed an inspection of the site and program and gave a workshop for volunteers and medical professionals. As a result of this visit, the Therapeutic Riding Program has achieved Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) Provisional Member Status.

The success of the program to date is largely attributed to Program Director/Instructor Sarah Schmidt. She has done a wonderful job developing policies and procedures, compiling the Volunteer Manual, recruiting volunteers, providing the instruction and overseeing the entire program. It is truly amazing at how much we have achieved in so short of a time.

"You are doing such a great thing with this therapeutic riding and I can not say enough about this program and you." - Isabella's Mom

Located at 849 Erickson St., the facility consists of a fenced riding ring for safely conducting riding lessons.

For more information on Therapeutic Riding or to make a donation to the program, contact Sarah Schmidt at 250-428-2296 or e-mail at sschmidt.cdscl@shawlink.ca.

For a Rider Application Package, please visit our Application Forms page.

Feel free to browse our Vision Presentation.  This presentation is in landscape mode when viewed in Acrobat Reader, but you can rotate the presentation clockwise by clicking on the Rotate Clockwise icon on the toolbar in your browser. 

Read our media releases regarding the program.