Therapeutic Riding Program
In therapeutic riding, the student actively performs exercises on the horse. The exercises are supervised according to a plan developed by our instructors. Physiotherapeutic exercises can be divided into stretching, relaxing, and strengthening. Additional exercises will influence equilibrium, reflexes, coordination, posture and confidence. Psychologically, therapeutic riding develops self-awareness and improves both self-discipline and concentration. The bond between horse and rider provides strong motivation for achievement. Our goal is to have students learn to ride to the best of their ability.
Private Pay Classes
On Saturday, CANTER offers Therapeutic Riding classes for private individuals that provide their own transportation to and from CANTER. Several of the Saturday participants come during the week with the public schools or they had come with the schools before their graduation from high school. Each participant pays for their 30 minute session. Through the generosity of individuals and local businesses, scholarships may be available for participants coping with financial hardship.
Cochise County Public School Districts Partnerships
During the school year, CANTER partners with several Cochise County Public School Districts to provide Therapeutic riding classes for their students with special needs. The schools provide transportation to and from CANTER and provide school therapists to help the instructors design lesson plans appropriate for the students. CANTER provides specially trained horses, PATH certified instructors and volunteer horse handlers and side walkers. Thirty minute group lesson are offered, at a very nominal fee, three mornings a week. Private pay individuals, with their own transportation, can be integrated into the class schedules on a case by case basis.
Silver Saddles
Silver Saddles offers therapeutic riding and horsemanship lessons, for a fee, to seniors 60 years or older.
These lessons are a wonderful opportunity to learn to ride or to get back in the saddle again if you used
to ride. These classes are scheduled around the availability of the participants and tend to change
throughout the year. For the current schedule or more information email canterazpresident@gmail.com or check the calendar.
Helping America's National Defenders
The (HAND) program has been offered to active and retired veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury or post-traumatic stress disorder, twice in the past, at no cost to the soldier. A third program is in the planning stage. If interested, visit this website and check the News page and/or the Calendar for upcoming details.
Horse Schooling by CANTER Volunteers
In order to keep our horses in top shape and moving forward in their abilities, CANTER volunteers are used to school our horses. These sessions are conducted in groups by a PATH certified instructor. Riders are grouped by riding levels’ novice through advanced. The horses represent a wide variety of different skill sets. Riders must be able to follow and respond to multi-step instructions, and be able to safely control their horse in an enclosed arena with other riders. All participants must be able to ride completely independently (horse handlers and/or side walkers are not provided during these sessions).
The mission of CANTER is to promote the health and independence of individuals with disabilities or special needs using equine assisted activities in a safe and caring manner.
