Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association
Equine-Assisted Services
Our History & Purpose
Our program was established in 1991 to provide equine assisted services for children and adults with physical, mental, emotional, and learning differences primarily by students riding horses.
We have diversified our offerings to become more inclusive by adding a Stable Management program and a Vaulting program. These programs support our students balance and coordination, enhances their social and emotional skills and builds overall confidence.
“There are many wonderful places in the world, but one of my favourite places is on the back of a horse.”
Why Equine-Assisted
Services
The goal of our Equine Assisted Support program is to help participants relax and stretch tight muscles, build strength and endurance, and improve posture, balance, coordination, concentration, and attention. These gains support better communication, social interaction, and confidence—helping riders become more prepared for school and more fully engaged in everyday life.
The movement of the horse creates motion in the pelvis and hips that closely resembles the experience of walking. This provides participants with valuable “movement practice,” and for some, it can even support the development of walking skills. Equine assisted supports offer rich sensory input through touch, sight, sound, smell, and movement. For individuals who experience sensory processing challenges, contact with the horse can help to calm, organize, and regulate the sensory system.
Our certified instructors provide safe, engaging, and appropriately challenging sessions tailored to each students needs, always encouraging growth, confidence, and greater independence.
Our Mission
The Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association will continue to provide Equine Assisted Support, while focusing on increased sustainability and engagement of our community.
Requirements of Riding
Clients are selected based on individual needs. Our goal is to support the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of people with diverse needs in our community by offering Equine Assisted Support with horses.
Our programs support individuals with a wide range of diagnoses including autism, anxiety, learning differences, behavioural and attention disorders, brain injuries, Down syndrome, spina bifida, visual impairments, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis.
Can I Participate?
Our program is referral-based and supports students of all abilities, preschool age and older.
We offer have group, semiprivate and private classes.
Criteria for Riders
Open to all Kindergarten to Grade 12 students as well as adults with an identified diverse-need—physical, sensory, emotional, behavioural or learning.
Open to students from the school districts, private schools and students who are home schooled.
Referrals can come from school staff, physicians, parents, preschool physiotherapist or occupational therapist.
All students must have a signed physician’s form and parent release agreement prior to participation in the program.
Pre-School and School-aged program physiotherapists assess students for suitability in the program and for scheduling into an appropriate class in consultation with riding instructor/s.
Our Instructors conduct assessments for our private clients and adults.
For safety reasons, students must weigh less than 170 lbs (~77 kg) to participate in the program.
Land Acknowledgement
Powell River Therapeutic Riding respectfully acknowledges that we operate on the traditional, ancestral, and ceded lands of the Tla'amin people. We are grateful to live, learn, and work on this land and honor the Tla'amin people's enduring relationship, stewardship , and care for it since time immemorial.
Become A Member
Fill out the form to submit a membership application. Membership requires a yearly membership fee of $10.00 for September through August.
Payments can be made by cash, cheque or e-transfer to prtra.finance@gmail.com.
Having trouble? Visit our Resources Page to download a printable copy of our membership form.