SPIRITHORSE THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER

WELCOME TO SPIRITHORSE THERAPEUTIC RIDING CENTER OF CANTON, INC. LOCATED IN CANTON, CT

Services
SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center provides weekly therapeutic riding lessons for people of all ages with disabilities. All lessons are private, and are taught by certified SpiritHorse International Therapeutic Riding Instructors who volunteer their time with the organization. The support staff of Instructors, Sidewalkers, Administrative and Barn Help are also volunteers.

What Makes SpiritHorse Unique?
SpiritHorse has developed a research-based program of equine-assisted health care, which has a different goal than that of recreational therapy. It includes, for example, 178 specific steps provided in a one-on-one setting for intervening with its over 200 children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder at SpiritHorse International in Corinth, TX. This is the exact same program used in Canton.

A Riding Lesson at SpiritHorse
SpiritHorse provides unique, highly effective, private, equine-assisted therapeutic riding lessons. Each lesson includes horse management as a part of the curriculum, incorporating responsibility and ownership. Each student, to the ability they have, leads, grooms and saddles their horse before and unsaddles after each lesson. While riding, each student's individual needs are being addressed through horse therapy such as speech, sensory, balance, behavior, cognitive processing and more.

New Programs Available!
Recently, SpiritHorse added new programs to their therapeutic services.
Early Intervention Program. SpiritHorse of Canton is one of few therapeutic riding centers that allows children under the age of 5 to participate in equine therapy. We work closely with therapists, Birth to Three, and local PreSchools, to start students with developmental delays. These lessons are 30 minutes and contain the same awarding winning steps, but just on a smaller scale for the younger children.

One Hour “Mentorship Lesson”: Teens with disabilities are paired with teen volunteers working on the grounds and with various horses and ponies, learning about horse care while forming a lasting friendship! This program is perfect for teens with social difficulties and those needing to boost their confidence. Mounted and Dismounted lessons available.

Summer Program: SpiritHorse will be offering weekly and “mini-weeks” of summer fun at the farm! Teen volunteers will be paired with students as they explore farm life and learn about horses and ponies. Arts and crafts, games, activities, animal care, and riding instruction will prove a fun and active summer camp! Enrollment is limited, to provide lots of 1:1 time!

Equine VOAG Program. Unified vocational agricultural training in a farm management program/equine program for at risk, Special Education and mainstream students, attending High School. Problem solving, working independently, and as a team, in a farm setting, and effectively using reading, writing and speaking skills as related to professional and workplace environments. Students learn to work safely in a equine environment while receiving instruction on managing horses, goats, and chickens, landscape skills, small animal care, gardening and general farm maintenance.

Volunteers Wanted!
Volunteers are a major asset to SpiritHorse. They help in operations and everyday tasks, helping SpiritHorse to continue providing services to their many riders.