The Canadian Therapeutic Riding
Association
The Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association is the National Sports organization for
Therapeutic Riding and riders with a disability in Canada. "CanTRA" is a non-profit organization providing
support to individuals and groups through education, certification, insurance coverage, communication and
accreditation.
The Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association, a registered charity, was formed in 1980.
Committed to promoting challenge and achievement for young people and adults with disabilities
through the use of the horse, the organization has grown to almost one hundred member riding centres across Canada.
CanTRA's Aims and Objectives:
- To promote therapeutic riding for persons with disabilities throughout Canada
- To establish and maintain standards of horseback riding as a therapeutic, recreational and sports activity in collaboration with the medical profession
- To develop competitive equestrian sport
- To maintain the highest standards for registered Canadian Therapeutic Riding Instructors
- To develop standards of programme excellence
- To promote research in all aspects of therapeutic riding
- To provide a continuing educational programme of seminars and conferences
Therapeutic Riding is a form of therapy using horses to help persons with disabilities, the disabilities range from physical through learning and even emotional disabilities.
Many riders experience a connection to the horse that few sports can create. For those riders who cannot walk, the horse is their feet, their vehicle of transport. Not only does this help raise their self-esteem but it also teaches them essential skills. It improves balance, creates trust and creates a friendship between rider and horse.
Much of the purpose of CanTRA is to aid Therapeutic Riding Centres around Canada by supplying them with any information or material they need (books, tapes, etc).
Visit the main Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association Website at http://www.cantra.ca/
CanTRA is a Member of: FRDI - The Federation of Riding for the Disabled International
and IPEC- International Paralympic Equestrian Committee
