COURTNEY McCLURE The Standard
KAWARTHA LAKES: Riding horses can be a thrilling experience. However, did you know horses can be used in therapy programs for disabled riders?
“We are thrilled with what we are able to do for the members of our community who need us most,” said founder of Therapeutic Riding in Lindsay (T.H.R.I.L), Kelly Russell.
For many years, the horses and ponies at T.H.R.I.L. have been helping riders of all ages build confidence and horse-handling experience. Since opening in 2014, T.H.R.I.L. has become a second home for many riders across the City of Kawartha Lakes and beyond.
“We’ve grown [from] having five riders [a week] to having close to forty riders a week,” shared Ms. Russell.
Riders at T.H.R.I.L must have a diagnosed disability. Disabilities that can be accommodated at T.H.R.I.L include but are not limited to, ADHD, learning disabilities, and Down Syndrome.
One of the reasons Ms. Russell started T.H.R.I.L. was that her mother was diagnosed with polio during infancy and has had to deal with the effects of the disease for many, many years.
“[Horses] have always been such a grounding force in my life,” explained Ms. Russell. “I wanted to share that amazing ability with other people.”
The riding program at T.H.R.I.L consists of three sessions: spring, summer, and autumn. A weekly lesson costs about $50 per rider.
During winter, T.H.R.I.L focuses on teaching riders about horsemanship. Horsemanship usually consists of working on the ground, improving the bond between the rider and horse.
“It’s a pleasure to watch the connection the riders make,” explained Ms. Russell, “not only [with] their horses but [with] the volunteers as well.”
T.H.R.I.L is always in need of volunteers, to help riders, clean tack and complete other tasks.
Volunteers are usually needed on weekdays, during the daytime, and you do not need experience working with horses. T.H.R.I.L has a training program for new volunteers.
Growing up in Toronto, Ms. Russell was a self-proclaimed “horse-crazy-kid.” Over the years, Ms. Russell has worked with various horses at different therapeutic riding facilities across Canada.
In 2013, Ms. Russell and her family moved to the Lindsay area to open a therapy riding program. One year later, T.H.R.I.L was born. The staff and volunteers at T.H.R.I.L. are organizing their first fundraiser of the year. The fundraiser is a Euchre game hosted at the Lindsay Curling Club at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 12th.
To learn more about the fundraiser, please visit their Facebook page, titled, Euchre Night for T.H.R.I.L.
Occasionally, T.H.R.I.L is looking for horses and ponies which may suit their program. Ideally, the respective horse would be ‘free-lease’ and the owner would take care of any veterinary bills and claim responsibility for the retirement of the horse.
If you have a horse or pony you believe may be suitable for the T.H.R.I.L riding program, please contact Kelly Russell by email.
If you would like to volunteer or ride at T.H.R.I.L, please contact Kelly Russell by email, at info@thril.ca. To learn more about T.H.R.I.L, please visit their website, at thril.ca.
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