Therapeutic Horseback Riding at Wynbrook Equestrian Centre, Vars, ON

Get Your Zen on at Wynbrook Equestrian Centre

Horseback riding has long been recognized as a therapeutic activity. The rhythmic movement of the horse helps to relax muscles and improve flexibility, while the fresh air and outdoor setting can help to reduce stress and promote well-being.

Wynbrook Equestrian Centre offers therapeutic riding lessons for those with special needs. Our experienced instructor work with each rider to ensure that they are comfortable and safe and that they are getting the most out of the experience.

Therapeutic riding can help to improve balance, coordination and motor skills, as well as provide a sense of achievement and confidence.

For many riders, it is also an enjoyable social activity that helps to build friendships and community connections. Whether you are looking for a physical or emotional boost, therapeutic riding at Wynbrook Equestrian Centre is sure to provide it!

Anna was born and raised in The Netherlands where she had her first riding lessons at the age of 11. Over the years she rode every once in a while, but it wasn't until she found the Therapeutic Riding Association of Ottawa-Carleton (TROtt) in Greely 9 years ago that she was really able to be around horses consistently.

After volunteering as a sidewalker and a horse handler for a couple of years, taking part in riding lessons and occasionally working in the barn, she was asked to consider taking the Instructor Training, which she did. She was CANTRA-certified in January 2021 and has been teaching at TROtt since then.

Anna is very thankful for the opportunity to use her skills at Wynbrook and hopes to serve the community with her wonderful team of volunteers and Occupational Therapist Laurence Poirier.

Laurence is a Certified Occupational Therapist with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario. She has extended experience with working with children of all ages on a variety of goals. She is trauma informed and took a wide variety of courses to better help children with ADHD, autism, sensory processing disorders, OCD and Anxiety, emotional regulation challenges, and more. She is presently working at obtaining the gold standard Hippotherapy Certification with the American Hippotherapy Association.

Since Laurence obtained her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy, she thrives at working with young minds. Looking at the bright side is natural and easy for her and she always wants to look at the children she works with in that way. In her eyes, children’s challenges can become powerful superpowers when channeled the right way! This belief is the driving force of each and everyone of her Therapy sessions. Focus on the strengths, channel the challenges and offer the just right challenge!

Laurence also strongly believes in the power of the environment in a child’s ability to grow and learn; this is why she regularly offers home visits to her clients when the clinic environment does not seem like the right fit. She is delighted to have started this partnership with Wynbrook in order to offer another approach of therapy to her clients, with the help of the gentlest of horses.

Riding Your Way to Better Health

Using the power of horseback riding, we help our clients to overcome a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Therapeutic riding has been shown to improve balance and coordination, as well as to increase strength and flexibility.

For those with mental health issues, therapeutic riding can help to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. And for those who have experienced trauma, therapeutic riding can be a transformative experience. By building trust with a horse and learning to control them, our clients can begin to take control of their lives.

If you're looking for an unconventional form of therapy, come and try therapeutic riding at Wynbrook Equestrian Centre. We guarantee you won't be disappointed.

About Therapeutic Riding

If you're not familiar with therapeutic riding, you might be wondering what it is and how it can help people. Also called equine-assisted therapy, therapeutic riding is a type of physical, occupational, and psychological therapy that uses horseback riding as a way to improve the health and well-being of patients. Proponents of therapeutic riding say that the movement of the horse can help to improve balance and coordination, build muscle strength, and increase flexibility.

In addition, the calming effect of being around horses can help to reduce stress and anxiety. Therapeutic riding is often used to help people with physical disabilities, but it can also be beneficial for those with mental health conditions such as PTSD or depression.

If you're interested in giving therapeutic riding a try, be sure to book a tour with us so our certified instructor can create a tailored program specifically for your needs.
How Does it Work?

Therapeutic riding is an increasingly popular form of therapy that uses horseback riding to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of riders of all ages. Therapeutic riding can be an effective treatment for a variety of conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The benefits of therapeutic riding come from the movement of the horse, which is similar to the movement of the human pelvis. This movement helps to improve balance and coordination, as well as to increase muscle strength and flexibility. In addition, the close relationship between rider and horse can provide emotional support and a sense of calmness and well-being.

Therapeutic riding programs are typically run by our certified instructor who has received special training in working with riders with special needs. If you or someone you know is interested in exploring the benefits of therapeutic riding, be sure to contact us today to book a tour!
What Are the Benefits?

There are many benefits to therapeutic riding, which is why we offer to program to children and adults of all ages who have a physical, emotional, cognitive or social disability.

This includes a wide variety of diagnoses, including but not limited to: improved balance and muscle strength, improved coordination and faster reflexes, increased muscular control, stress reduction, increased circulation, increased self-confidence, and increased self-esteem and self-image.

Therapeutic riding can help improve gross and fine motor skills, and can even help with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and more.

If you or someone you know could benefit from therapeutic riding, please contact us today.
What Will You Need to Enroll?

To participate in the riding program, each individual will need a physician referral form completed by their family doctor and a registration form completed by their parent, guardian, or themselves. Each therapeutic riding lesson is instructed by our CanTRA-certified instructor.

The lesson topics depending on the needs and goals of the participant including learning riding skills, fine and gross motor development, verbal communication skills, etc. Lessons range from 30 minutes to 1 hour in private, semi-private, and group lessons.

Our therapeutic riding program is designed to help participants achieve their goals. We offer a variety of services to meet the needs of our riders. Our skilled and knowledgeable staff is here to help you every step of the way.

Contact us today to learn more about our program and how we can help you achieve your goals.

Who is Eligible?

We offer programming to children and adults of all ages who have a physical, emotional, cognitive or social disability.

This includes a wide variety of diagnoses, including but not limited to:

Autism
Cerebral Palsy
Down Syndrome
ADHD
Emotional Trauma
PTSD
Genetic Anomalies
Blindness
Hearing or Speech Impairment
Anxiety
Depression and/or other mental health related diagnoses
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Developmental Coordination Disorder
Cognitive Delay
Traumatic Brain Injury
Spinal Cord Injuries
Muscular Dystrophy
Amputation, including congenital limb absence. etc.

Our Community Partners

On the Ball offers a variety of pediatric physiotherapy, pediatric occupational therapy, and pediatric services ranging from traditional to innovative therapies. Every child is unique and requires specific attention, coaching, and assistance to reach their full potential. On the Ball has partnered with Wynbrook to help achieve therapeutic goals in a more natural and functional setting.

Equine Therapy: Changing Lives

Discover the inspiring story of how therapeutic horseback riding has significantly benefited a young girl with Prader-Willi syndrome. This unique form of therapy has boosted her confidence, enhanced her social skills, and improved her overall well-being.

Click on 'Learn More' to read the full article and read about the powerful impact of therapeutic riding.

A portrait of Lalonde family with the stable horses

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Get Riding Classes from CanTRA Certified Instructor

At Wynbrook Equestrian Centre, we offer therapeutic riding classes taught by our certified CanTRA instructor, Anna Ribberink.

CanTRA is the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association, and they are the only nationally recognized organization in Canada that sets standards for therapeutic riding instruction. Their instructors are highly trained and experienced in working with riders of all abilities, and they are dedicated to helping riders achieve their goals.

Whether you are looking to improve your balance, coordination, or strength, or you simply want to enjoy the companionship of a horse, our therapeutic riding classes can help you achieve your goals. Contact us today to learn more about our program and to schedule a free tour.

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