Free Spirit Therapeutic Riding Association, Inc.
Aylesford, Nova Scotia
Free Spirit Therapeutic Riding Association (FSTRA) is a registered charity in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, based at Rohan Wood Stables in the Annapolis Valley. It says it is the only CanTRA-accredited centre in Nova Scotia and serves more than 120 people a year through therapeutic riding, equine supported wellness programs, school visits and a summer camp.
- Therapeutic riding lessons (group and private)
- Equine supported wellness programs
- SPIRIT program for women Veterans
- School trips and 10-week school lesson series
- Three-day summer camp in July
- Group tours of the stable
- Children and adults, ages 3 and up
- Riders with physical, developmental or neurological disabilities
- People living with anxiety, depression or chronic illness
- Youth experiencing anxiety, depression or loneliness
- Women Veterans in Central and Western Nova Scotia
- School groups
More about this center
About the Program
FSTRA was founded in 2012 with a pilot program for 12 participants.
Lessons run in a spring session (April to June) and a fall session (September to December), with 10 lessons guaranteed over each 12-week session for riders with full attendance. Lessons are 30 or 60 minutes, with up to four riders in the ring, and private lessons are 30 minutes. Helmets are provided.
The summer camp runs for three days in July for ages 3 and up, with registration opening May 1.
Equine Supported Wellness
These programs are run with Clannad Counselling & Consulting Inc. and need no horse experience. They include a 4-week youth program on loneliness, peer relationships and intense emotions; Stable Ground, 6 weeks of mindfulness and beginner riding; Reining in our Resources, on connection and reducing isolation; and Natural Instincts, a 4-week program built around observing horse herds.
SPIRIT, funded by Veterans Affairs Canada, is a program for women Veterans in Central and Western Nova Scotia, from Halifax to Digby. See our guide to equine therapy for veterans.
The Horses and Staff
Amy MacKay is the executive director and Silvi Lavoie is the program coordinator. Riding coaches Alissa Cue, who owns Rohan Wood Stables, and Jessica vanNostrand are both CanTRA certified therapeutic riding instructors (CTRI II). The therapy herd includes Norwegian Fjords, Welsh pony crosses, a Haflinger, Percheron and Clydesdale crosses and other breeds from from 12.1 to 16.2 hands.
Volunteering
Volunteers lead horses, sidewalk beside riders or help with office work and events. The minimum age is 15, training is provided, and volunteers 18 and older need a criminal record check and a Child Abuse Register check.
Location
FSTRA operates from Rohan Wood Stables at 382 Morden Road in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, in the Annapolis Valley. Groups can book a stable tour from April through November.
From public records, not yet reviewed by the center · Last updated Oct 2026 Suggest an edit
Common Questions
Answered from the center’s own website and public records.
How do I register a rider?
Request a rider registration form from info@fstra.org. Staff then book an intake meeting before the first lesson, and a family physician, physiotherapist or occupational therapist must sign a medical form clearing the rider to ride.
What are the age and skill requirements?
Riders must be at least 3. The centre looks for a few basic skills, such as sitting balanced and holding a strap, and riders who are still building them may be accepted on a conditional basis for at least two weeks.
How much do lessons cost?
Lessons are $400 for the spring or fall session and $250 for summer camp; confirm current rates with the centre. Payment plans can be arranged, and families who want help with the cost can look into KidSport, Jumpstart or the centre's rider fund. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
How do I contact the centre?
Email info@fstra.org or call (902) 670-8402.
Location
Aylesford, Nova Scotia B0P 1C0
Questions to Ask When You Call
The center is the best source for these answers.
- Are you running now, and taking new riders?Start here. We couldn’t confirm a current schedule.
- Which ages and needs do you work with?Ask about experience with your rider’s specific condition.
- Is a licensed PT, OT or speech therapist involved?Therapist-led hippotherapy is usually the only kind insurance may cover.
- What does a session cost, and are there scholarships?Many nonprofit programs offer sliding scales or sponsored spots.
- Do you have a mounting ramp or lift?Important for riders who use a wheelchair or need help mounting.