Registration will be opening on Monday May 6th at 9am.
IMPORTANT: Due to limited program resources, we are only able to offer 4-week Saturday sessions in August this summer.
Therapeutic riding is an equine-assisted activity for the purpose of contributing positively to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with special needs. Therapeutic riding lessons are offered morning, afternoons and evenings, 6 days a week. All our instructors are nationally certified and our horses were chosen for their temperament and suitability to therapeutic work. Riding has many benefits including (but not limited to):
- development and improvement of balance and coordination
- mobilization of trunk & pelvis
- improvement of muscle tone and strength
- prevention of contractures
- increased confidence and self-esteem
- promotion of independence
- increased concentration, motivation, and patience
- improved learning skills
- improvement of social integration
- access to recreation, sport and/or competition
- a sense of control participants might not otherwise feel in everyday life
CONTRAINDICATIONS TO THERAPEUTIC RIDING
The following diagnoses represent contraindications to therapeutic horseback riding as stated by CanTRA (the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association). Please note whether these conditions are present and to what degree in the Rider Medical Form package:
Orthopaedic:
- Acute arthritis
- Acute herniated disc or prolapsed disc
- Atlanto-axial instabilities
- Coax arthrosis (degeneration of hip joint)
- Structural cranial deficits
- Osteogenesis imperfecta
- Pathological fractures
- Spondylolisthesis
- Structural scoliosis >30 degrees, excessive kyphosis or lordosis or hemivertebra
- Spinal stenosis
- Hip subluxation, dislocation or dysplasia (one hip)
Neurological:
- CVA secondary to unclipped aneurysm or angioma
- Paralysis due to spinal cord injury above T6 (adult)
- Spina bifida associations – Chiari II malformations, hydromyelia, tethered cord
- Uncontrolled seizures within the last 6 months while on medication, or 12 months not on medication
Other:
- >170 lbs
- Age under 3 years old
Please register for the class/activity type recommended to you by TEAD to ensure all riders are registered in classes that will give them the best benefit possible. This assignment is based on individual recommendations from our instructors.
Please note that the age parameters for classes have been removed to allow for more flexible registration, which may result in large age gaps between participants.
IMPORTANT NOTES (PLEASE READ):
- Are you new to TEAD? Click here to become a rider!
- All new riders must also complete a half hour, unmounted assessment before they can be registered for lessons. Assessments cost $45 per rider.
- We have a weight restriction of 170lbs which is being strictly adhered to and forms part of our insurance policy.
- Riders with uncontrolled seizures need to be seizure free for 6 months on medication OR for one year without medication
What else do I need to know?
- Approved riding helmets can be provided, however we strongly encourage riders to purchase their own helmets to ensure proper fit and maximum safety (helmets expire 5 years after their purchase date - keep your receipts)
- Riders are asked to wear a closed toed shoe or boot with a low heel (half inch)
- We provide specialized adaptive equipment as needed and special stirrups for riders who cannot wear boots.
- Coats should have a working zipper and gloves are recommended
- In cold weather, dress in layers as riders may get warm - it’s a workout!
- Long pants are mandatory (even in the summer) to prevent bruising/pinching from stirrup leathers
- Please avoid wearing slippery rain pants or pants/jeans that are too tight!
- There is a grace period of 10 minutes in place for each lesson, after which absent participant's horses will be put away & untacked
- No dogs are allowed on the property, unless they are certified service dogS
- TEAD makes every effort to fulfill your full scheduled lesson. However, to ensure participant safety, programs may be modified subject to instructors’ discretion.
Your Support Staff
- All TEAD Instructors are nationally certified and regularly update their qualifications
- All TEAD Instructors are certified in First Aid and CPR
- All our volunteers are trained in leading & side walking and have a criminal reference check.
- Leader: leads/controls the horse until the rider has learned how to do so themselves.
- Side walker: 1 or 2 trained volunteers who walk on either side of the rider giving either physical or emotional support as directed by the instructor.
Private Lessons:
- $60 per lesson
- 30 minutes in length
- a single rider
Semi-Private Lessons:
- $55 per lesson
- 30 minutes in length
- two riders max.
Group Lessons:
- $55 per lesson
- one hour in length
- four riders max.
There is also a $15 Annual Rider Registration fee that all TEAD participants are required to pay yearly.
Payment/ Refund/ Cancellation Policy:
- Fees are for an individual rider to attend a full session of programming or a week of summer camp. There are no partial sessions or partial weeks of camp for individuals.
- In some circumstances, TEAD may negotiate different terms with agencies or groups at TEAD’s sole discretion.
- Due to costs incurred by TEAD, no refunds will be made after program starts.
- Make-up classes or credits will be offered where TEAD is the cause of the cancellation.
- Any credits issued must be used in the session immediately following or they will expire.
- In the case of inclement weather and a cancellation by TEAD, only make-up sessions will be offered, where possible.
- A $50 cancellation fee applies for all cancellations. TEAD will provide a 75% refund (less the $50 cancellation fee) ONLY if the space is filled by another participant prior to the start of the session.
- Any cheques must be made payable to 'TEAD' only
- All accounts are paid in full at the time of registration. Any declined payments are subject to a $20.00 fee and must be paid prior to the program start.
Our full payment/cancellation/refund policy can be read here.
For any questions or concerns, please email Rachel at troton@tead.on.ca or call 905-679-8323 ext. 226.