'Joy for decades': New generation takes the reins of Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association

Through spring and summer, Janna Wakefield and her family visit the Thunder Bay Therapeutic Riding Association (TBTRA) twice a week. It's something she's done for the past 18 years, allowing her to build skill, confidence and community over time.

"Janna is autistic. She loves coming out to ride the horses. She likes the movement, enjoys being around her peers … and she really looks forward to coming out here," said Randy Wakefield as he watches his daughter participate in a riding session.

"In the beginning, we'd only maybe get, maybe 10 or 15 minutes into a ride, and that would be it. Now we can ride for the whole session, and it's great."

The TBTRA has been operating for decades just outside the city, but in April, the program moved to a new facility and now has a new group of people at the helm.

"Well, after 35 years in our past location led by our previous leaders, they finally got to retire," said Wendy Handy, TBTRA's program director.

"A new crew has taken up the reins and we've taken on the challenge of continuing the program. So it's sort of like the next generation. I personally started with therapeutic riding when I was twelve. So this has always been my little back of mind dream, to be in a position where I can continue the program and allow it to move forward."

The TBTRA now operates out of Visions Farm on Nicholetts Road in Murillo, Ont., just outside Thunder Bay.

On a Monday night, the barn is a bustling place as riders arrive with their families, and sometimes support workers. Each rider is outfitted with a helmet and a safety belt, and they are matched up with a horse and a leader, along with two people to walk alongside the horse. This is to ensure the ride is completely supported.

"I have seen such joy in our riders for decades and there are so many stories I have of riders who come, and this is maybe the only activity they get to do. Non-verbal riders, some of them start talking and we can get a 'walk on' and 'woah' to happen," said Handy.

The program offers riding sessions twice a week for people of all ages and with differing abilities. Outside of the sessions, a group of dedicated volunteers work through the week to ensure their six horses are continuously getting exercise and training.

"There is a lot of training and desensitization to all of the different sorts of sounds and activities. Our horses are used to having basketballs thrown off of them into nets … And so all of our horses are trained to be used to that and not startled by it," said Handy.

"So our horses are kept trained and conditioned to that kind of environment, that sort of stimulus all around them."

Some riders practise holding the reins and trotting with their horse, while others play games on horseback. Each activity is designed to provide some physical exercise, as well as cognitive stimulation.

Since the association has moved facilities, many of its volunteers have moved with it. Some people have been volunteering for over twenty years, while others are just getting started this summer.

Ongoing search for volunteers

Darlene Craig has been volunteering with the organization for about 25 years. She said like many other charitable organizations in Canada, the TBTRA is always looking for more volunteers and support from the community.

"Volunteers are always, always welcome and if you love kids or anybody with a disability and you want to make the community better …come out and just try it."

The association aims to have about 20 people volunteering at each riding session. It is also looking for help at its fund-raising events, which help to keep the program running.

"We are a small but mighty program with a large overhead, horses take a lot to take care of. And so we have a very valuable service that we offer, but it takes a lot of funds to keep it going and we rely on the community support for that," said Handy.

People can find more information on the TBTRA's Facebook page and website.