about us header

Equilibrium Therapeutic Riding

Click here to download a PDF of the Fall Riding Calendar

ATTENTION PARENTS, STUDENTS AND CARE-GIVERS
OUR FALL RIDING SESSION WILL SOON BE UNDER WAY!
The following are our current rates as of SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2023

FALL hours of operation are:

Monday and Wednesday: 9:00-7:00
Tuesday 9:00-6:30
Thursday: 9:00-2:30
Friday: 9:00-4:00

Private Lessons

Private lessons are being offered weekly, for September 2023-January 2024. Students may take 30, 45 or 60 minute sessions. Cost of private lessons is as follows:

Registration in 5 Easy Steps


  1. Click Register here for all NEW and EXISTING students. This will notify us of your intent to register
  2. Physician Referral: All students with a disability are required to complete the Physician Referral form to clear them for participation in this program. The physician can indicate (on page 2 of the form) how often they require the form to be repeated. Physician forms are tracked on our rider database and we will notify you when it is time to repeat the form as indicated by the physician. Click here to download the physician referral form. In addition, rider's with Down's Syndrome are required to complete the Atlanto Axial Verification X ray form. Click here to download the Atlanto Axial verficiation form. Riders without disability can complete the general public application form. Please return the completed paperwork by scan and email to erin_mccormick@msn.com or by regular post to PO Box 517 Osler, SK S0K 3A0.
  3. Acknowledgement of Risk form: All guardians or riders over the age of 18 are required to complete the Acknowledgment of Risk form. Please read this form in advance and bring a printed copy for you to sign in person at your first appointment. Please ensure that you complete only the appropriate page of the the form for riders either OVER or UNDER the age of majority. Click here for the Acknowledgement of Risk form PDF. The acknowledgement of Risk form must be completed annually.
  4. Facility Use Waiver: Fill out this online form: Facility Use Waiver
  5. Introductory Assessment: Once the above completed paperwork has submitted, you will be contacted to book an introductory assessment. Please bring any paperwork related to your/your child's existing programming (PT, OT, SLP reports or classroom or behaviour program plans) with you to the appointment so that we can create a therapeutic riding program tailored to the individual. The assessment will assist us in working with you/your child to determine which program (private, group sessions) would be most suited to your goals and needs. The fee for the 30 minute private assessment is: $67.15.

Once the assessment is complete and programming placement has been determined, riders will be scheduled into our weekly riding sessions. If the family is paying directly, invoices will be sent by email. Invoices are set up in an equalized payment form, where payments are made on the first of each month by post-dated cheque.

Please call Erin at 270-1782 or email erin_mccormick@msn.com for any questions.

What is Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic Riding encompasses collectively all horse-related activities for people with disabilities. Emphasis is put on learning functional riding skills for therapeutic purposes. Because therapeutic riding encompasses so many areas of development, it can be broken down into classifications, which represent different approaches that could be taken for each individual.

Therapy

Activities involving horses can be used as therapy to assist individuals with disabilities in reaching physical and mental health, and cognitive, social, behavioral and communication goals. The word therapy encompasses three 3 approaches: riding therapy, developmental riding therapy and hippotherapy.

Riding Therapy uses riding skills to assist the rider in reaching therapeutic goals such as social skills, improved sitting and balance as well as self-confidence. In this approach, these types of goals would take precedence over the basic goal of learning to ride.

Developmental Riding Therapy works hand in hand with the field of education. Health and educational professionals have found that this approach is very useful for individuals who have impaired motor, mobility, perception, cognition, behavior, mental health and language skills. This approach also assists an individual’s sensory integration.

Hippotherapy, directly translated means therapy using the horse (Greek word “hippo” means horse.) This domain of therapeutic riding is specific to individuals who have movement disorders. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists use this type of therapy to specifically improve the individuals posture, balance, mobility and function.

Education

In this area, therapeutic riding instructors work with educational professionals to plan and implement a riding program with an educational focus. Educational therapy assists individuals with physical, intellectual, developmental, psychological and/or sensory impairments to achieve educational goals.

Sport, recreation and leisure

Sport activities on horseback, can be easily adapted to fit individuals with physical, intellectual, developmental, learning, sensory and psychological disabilities. Therapeutic riding from a sport perspective offers a wealth of therapeutic, psychological, educational and social benefits.

Therapeutic riding offers a gratifying way to receive recreation and leisure. The emphasis is on social and physical well being and the simple intrinsic enjoyment of these activities.