Antigonish Therapeutic Riding Association

The Antigonish Therapeutic Riding Association (AnTRA) began as a pilot project in the summer of 1986 in conjunction with the physiotherapy department at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital. The idea was initiated as an alternate form of physiotherapy for children with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida, and developmental delays such as downs syndrome. The program was such a success that a board of directors was formed consisting of parents and members of the physiotherapy department. From 1987 to 1991, a grant was obtained to hire three university students with physiotherapy and some horse interest to run an 8 to 12 week summer program overseen by board members, and others in the community. In some years AnTRA owned a horse and some ponies. About 20 riders participated in these programs. As the program grew in numbers, a 6 week spring and fall program were added to the popular summer program taught by a certified therapeutic riding instructor, beginning in 1989. From 1989 to 1992 these were held in the 4-H building; the horses and ponies were stabled at the fair grounds during these lesson times.
In the fall of 1992 the program moved to Fairwind Farm Equestrian Centre in Pomquet where AnTRA leased four horses and ponies as well as using its own pony. Rider numbers increased to 22 with the addition of more riders from L’Arche as well as young riders from the community. Volunteers came from all walks of life, students, teachers, nurses, parents as well as an occupational and physiotherapist. A certified therapeutic riding instructor continued to teach the lessons.
Two six-week sessions were held at Fairwind Farm in the late spring/summer and in the fall. A four-week summer session was held at Glen Meadow Farm on the Glen Road. While the indoor arena at Fairwind Farm allowed for continuous lessons uninterrupted by weather, the riders enjoyed the outdoor summer session where they can ride in the fields and trails as wells as the outdoor ring. In the years since the reintroduction of the summer program, the weather has cooperated; other than sudden downpours during which we walk quickly back to the stable.
In the fall of 2007, the program was held at Creekside Equestrian Center in Ohio. The added leased horses and ponies have allowed more riders, up to 15, to participate in the riding lessons.
In May 2015 the riding program was relocated to Friendly Breezes Stables in Ohio. We were greeted by a big Welcome sign and Tim Horton’s Donuts, and immediately felt very much a part of the Friendly Breezes Family. The Friendly Breezes autumn horse show included classes for AnTRA’s riders. Rider participation has expanded to 18 riders in the spring and fall program; as well as up to 8 in the summer program, which is still held at Glen Meadow Farm.
Lessons are once a week up to an hour in length according to the ability of the rider. Grooming and tacking up the horse or pony, with assistance as necessary are part of the lesson, which helps to develop motor skills, lengthen attention spans, as well as bonding between the horse and rider, Lessons for the most part are very similar to any riding lesson. Depending upon ability, each rider has the help of a leader for the horse and one or two siderunners on either side of them to help with their stability and balance on the horse or to focus their attention on the instructor’s direction. Also included are balance and stretching exercises as well as games. Popular and end of lesson games are “Red Light, Green Light”, matching colored strips of paper to larger pieces found around the arena, picking up large wooden “coin” and dropping them in the “wishing well”, walking or a dressage test. Lessons are intended to be interesting, athletic, educational, recreational, and above all enjoyable.
Another area, and the origin of the program in 1986, is hippotherapy or physiotherapy using horses as a tool. Children with cerebral palsy up to teenage years can actually improve mobility because of the three-dimensional movement and warmth of the horse. The movement of the horse, which is similar to our own, relaxes the spasticity of the muscles, thus decreasing extra tone; once the muscles have relaxed they can become strengthen, again by the movement of the horse helps to stimulate muscles in relearning motor skills.
Riders with a developmental delay or downs syndrome can improve attention span and motor skills through repetitive routine as well as learning a new skill, ie horseback riding. Riders dependent on a wheel chair or crutches find being on a horse at eye level or above their peers very freeing. Those with autistic tendencies sometimes interact better to the unconditional nature of the animals, but have to be supervised quite closely in some cases sot hey do not become overwhelmed by too much stimulation and act out inappropriately.
In all cases, riders enjoy the riding experience as learning a new skill, as recreation improving motor control, extending attention span, an most importantly regaining self-esteem. This may be an activity in which no one else in their family group or friends participates, or else