Introduction to therapeutic horse riding in Lindsay

KELLY RUSSELL, T.H.R.I.L.

KAWARTHA LAKES: T.H.R.I L's aim (therapeutic horse riding in Lindsay) is to improve the quality of life for children, youth and adults with special needs/considerations, mental health issues, and those who are abled differently, with a certified, insured therapeutic riding/horsemanship/driving program.

Through our programs we strive to improve our participants’ confidence, communication skills, and enrich their physical, emotional and mental health. Our goal is to keep costs as low as possible for our participants while providing quality programs which are valuable to our participants, their families, and our community, with the help of volunteers, grants, and donations from businesses and individuals.

Who we are and what we do? Our accessible facility, at Field of Dreams Farm, is an Accredited Centre with the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association, and our instructors are registered and certified through CanTRA.

Through a series of sessions (Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter) we offer a weekly one-hour riding/driving/stable lesson, either private or semi-private, with trained therapy horses and ponies. Using our wonderful equine partners and amazing volunteers, each participant has unique opportunities for individual growth through planned exercises and games.

Our riders/participants range in age from 4 to 70, from a variety of social and economic backgrounds and a very wide range of challenges and abilities. Our volunteers range in age from 16 year olds, doing their community service hours, to active seniors in retirement, each providing invaluable service to our program.

Our History, T.H.R.I.L has been in operation as a non-profit organization for nine years, incorporated in 2018, and became a registered charity with Revenue Canada in 2019. Right from our initial years, as a non-profit entity, we recognized the need in the Kawartha Lakes for an equine facilitated therapy centre. The closest existing CanTRA recognized centres were at least an hour away. Since opening in 2015, we have more than quadrupled our riders/participants and still receive several calls monthly asking about our programs. We have, thankfully and gratefully, planned our expansion, thoughtfully through and post-COVID pandemic, to ensure we can financially continue to meet our objectives and commitment to our community.

We continue to fund raise, to meet our mandate of providing our unique therapy programs at minimal cost to our participants.

SWING FOR THRIL. On June 26th, 2024 we are hosting our 2nd Annual Fundraising Golf Tournament, at the Lindsay Golf and Country Club. Registration is $150 per golfer, including: lunch, cart snacks, 18 holes, dinner, prizes, partial tax receipt and FUN!

We are still looking for more golfers and sponsors. Donations for prizes and the raffle are also on our needed list. Email info@thril.ca or visit our website, at www.thril.ca for more information on how you can join T.H.R.I.L., on the golf course or in the barn!