PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

There are 4 riding terms for a total of 30 weeks between the months of October and June. The program involves a qualified instructor, and one to three volunteers per rider. Special teaching techniques allow for the rider’s needs, which may range from straight therapy to pure recreation. We also have a program for riders who do not require volunteer assistance and who have reached the level of riding independently.

VRDA has three part time paid instructors and seven volunteer Assistant Instructors. Our Instructor’s are certified by Equine Canada and the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA). Our Association is a member of BCTRA (British Columbia Therapeutic Riding Association) and CanTRA (Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association).

VRDA uses and is financially responsible for eleven horses in our program. Rider’s wear safety equipment including a riding helmet, boots with a heel and special transfer belts to be used in case of emergencies. Each rider is supplied with equipment that is designed to assist with their particular needs and may include: special reins for those with only partial use of hands and arms, special saddles for those with little or no balance or who are unable to sit in a conventional saddle, and adaptive equipment to give extra body support. We use mounting blocks and wheelchair accessible ramps where necessary to help with getting riders onto the horse’s back. Top of Page

PROGRAM BENEFITS

Physical — improving balance, coordination, muscle strength and agility. The movement of the horse provides the rider’s system with varying inputs that closely resemble the movements one would experience through walking. The warmth and motion of the horse's body can significantly reduce spasiticity and enhance coordinated action in other muscle groups.

Psychological — by introducing a horse into a disabled person’s life, their life as a solitary spectator who is isolated from their peers in a way that seems insurmountable, suddenly changes. The rider’s perception of their limitations and capabilities alters and their view of the world is literally expanded by a dramatic margin. Astride a horse, the spectator becomes a participant in a sport in which few, if any, of their peers have any experience. The positive effects on self–esteem, self–image and self–confidence cannot be overstated.

Social — the scope of social experience for some people with special needs is quite limited, in many cases restricted to family members and a small group of medical specialists. As a result, many are further impeded by a lack of communication and interpersonal skills. Through contact with their horse, instructor and volunteers, the rider's social world expands and then interpersonal skills improve. For many, achievement of other goal-related behaviour becomes possible.

Finally, the effects on the rider’s family should be considered. A common reaction in parents to the fact of having a disabled family member is a sense of being alone with a problem of unmanageable proportions. The riding program dispels the sense of isolation. Families are given the opportunity to share experiences, ideas, successes and disappointments with people who are able to lend understanding and support. They are also able to see for themselves the possibilities for improvement that Therapeutic Horseback Riding offers. Top of Page