Therapeutic Riding Program

At PARDS, Therapeutic Riders experience improved balance, muscle strength and coordination. Developing their horsemanship skills also increases their self-esteem and confidence and creates an atmosphere of respect, trust and friendship between themselves, their horse, and the instructors and volunteers who work with them.

PARDS runs Three, 10-week Therapeutic Riding Sessions (Fall, Winter & Spring) that mirror the traditional school year.  Please refer to our Calendar or contact our office for exact start and end dates.

PARDS offers:

• A unique alternative to the traditional clinical setting
• Personalized programs
• Qualified CanTRA instructors
• Riding and/or Grooming programs (or a combination of both)
• Equine Facilitated Wellness (EFW) Programs
• An indoor, heated arena
• An outdoor arena (weather permitting)
• A safe, fun and effective therapeutic experience

Therapeutic Riding Schedule:

• Lessons are offered Monday through Thursday
• Lessons are available from 9:00 a.m. to a final scheduled lesson time of 7:30 p.m.
• Each lesson runs from 30 - 45 minutes in length

Registration:

(Download the registration forms: click here.)

• PARDS accepts registrations throughout the year for all lesson sessions. Payment must be received a minimum of 2 weeks prior to session start date in order to confirm your spot.

• If you pre-register with us, we will contact you approximately 3-4 weeks prior to the start of the riding session to schedule your riding time and confirm the session details with you. Payment must be received a minimum of 2 weeks prior to session start date in order to confirm your spot.

• Registration includes 10 weekly lessons
  • depending on availability, a rider may register for multiple lessons per week; an additional session fee will be required

• One Registration Package may be used for any or all of the three sessions in the program year (Fall to Spring).
  • New registration forms are required if personal details change.

• There is a required PARDS Medical form in each Therapeutic Registration Package. This form is required to identify any contraindications to participation in our riding program. The information is also used to assist in defining and identifying goals for the client.
  • This is to be completed by a doctor only, and will be valid for two (2) years from date of completion. Upon expiration, a new medical form is required.
  • If a prospective client has not been diagnosed with a disability, they are ineligible to participate in the Therapeutic Programs. Please click here to access our Public Riding Program Information page.

• Please note: If the registration package is incomplete, lessons will be limited to grooming and horse education until the required forms are received by the PARDS office.

• Please contact us if you are having difficulty completing the registration information, or if you have questions.

Riding, Safety Equipment & Dress Code:

• In order to take part in a lesson, each rider must wear:

• an ASTM/SEI certified riding helmet

• riding boots or closed-toe shoes with a small, 1-inch heal

• long pants

• a safety belt

• PARDS will supply the riding helmet, boots and safety belts, or, if preferred, riders may use their own. Our trained Instructors will ensure each rider has the proper safety equipment before each lesson begins.

• We recommend dressing warmly and in layers during the colder months. Although the arena is heated, the temperature is kept at 5C.

• For safety reasons, please do not wear loose or bulky clothing that may catch on equipment. Please ensure clothing is comfortable and well fitted.

Fees:

• Each 10-week Therapeutic Session: $200 per rider
• A $10 annual membership fee per rider (or $20 per family) is required for insurance.
• PARDS memberships are valid from January 1 through December 31.
• Fees are due 2 weeks prior to the first lesson.

Need Financial Support?

There are organizations which may be able to provide financial support, please contact us for information.

Cancelled Lessons / If you are not able to make it to your lesson:

• Please call us as soon as possible to let us know if you are not able to make it to your lesson. This is important so we may prepare appropriately for each class and we can contact our wonderful Volunteers (who so generously help us every day) to let them know they are not required.
• If a client is unable to attend their scheduled lesson for any reason, a make-up lesson or refund will not be provided.
• If a lesson is cancelled due to inclement weather, a make-up lesson or refund will not be provided.
• If PARDS cancels a lesson, we will inform you immediately and a make-up or credit to your account will be provided.

Additional Advice to our Riders

We ask that all our riders arrive at PARDS at least 10 minutes prior to their lesson start time (or earlier as needed) in order to change into their riding clothes/equipment. It is important that riders are ready for their lesson by the start time because we are unable to extend riding times due to scheduling constraints. If a rider is more than 15 minutes late for their scheduled class, they will not be permitted to ride.

For more information, please call the PARDS office at 780-538-3211