Hope Haven Therapeutic Riding Centre
Markdale, Ontario
Hope Haven Therapeutic Riding Centre is a registered charity on 142 acres at the top of the Beaver Valley, northeast of Markdale, Ontario. It offers adaptive riding, unmounted horsemanship, equine assisted learning, an adult day program, camps and a school program for children and adults with disabilities or unique needs.
- Adaptive riding lessons
- Adaptive horsemanship (unmounted)
- Special Olympics equestrian team (Hope Haven Pegasus)
- Equine assisted learning (private, group and pop-up)
- H.O.P.E. adult day program
- Camp Hope summer and March break camps
- Saddle Up for Success school program
- HH Invitationals video competitions
- Children and adults with disabilities or unique needs
- People with intellectual disabilities (Special Olympics, ages 6+)
- Adults 18 and older (day program)
- Elementary and high school students with diverse needs
- Families
More about this center
About the Program
Lessons are taught by CanTRA, PATH Intl. and Equestrian Canada certified instructors using adaptive teaching techniques and equipment. Lessons run in one-hour blocks, booked by the season. Adaptive horsemanship covers horse care and groundwork for people who cannot or prefer not to ride.
Hope Haven says Pegasus, approved in 2020, was Ontario's first Special Olympics equestrian team. Athletes aged 6 and up with intellectual disabilities train weekly and compete in disciplines such as dressage, equitation, gymkhana and working trail. The HH Invitationals are spring and fall video competitions open to riders of all abilities, with a Special Olympics division.
Equine assisted learning focuses on confidence, empathy and emotional regulation and is led by a recreation therapist and instructors with EAL training. The H.O.P.E. adult day program runs Mondays and Fridays, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, with recreation, horse care and an optional group riding lesson. Saddle Up for Success brings school groups of 8 to 12 students for 4 to 8 weekly visits, with student fees sponsored by private donors. Camp Hope runs full-day weeks in summer for ages 5 to 13, separate weeks for ages 16 and up, and a March break week.
The Horses and Staff
The herd has 14 horses, including Norwegian Fjords, Percherons, a Canadian, a Cleveland Bay and two miniature horses. The farm has two barns with 18 box stalls, 13 paddocks, two indoor arenas, an outdoor dressage ring, trails, and an activity centre with fully accessible bathrooms.
Robyn Allen is the executive director. She holds degrees in kinesiology and physiotherapy and is a certified para-equestrian classifier. Gretel Stanish, a PATH Intl. certified instructor, is program manager, and Shannon Speer, a recreation therapist, is recreation and wellness manager.
Getting Started
New participants complete an online participant application and a professional referral form. Applicants with a diagnosis or identified social-emotional need get priority because space is limited. A private riding lesson is $60, semi-private $50 and $45 in a group of three. Outside funding programs can help with costs, and Gretel Stanish can help families find support. See our guide to equine therapy costs.
Location
Hope Haven is at 545747 Sideroad 4A, RR #2, Markdale, Ontario N0C 1H0, between 7th Line and 9th Line, about two hours north of Toronto.
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 sign up?
Send in the participant application and referral form from the centre's website. Past participants can call the office at 519-986-1247.
Is adaptive riding covered by health benefits?
No. Hope Haven says adaptive riding, horsemanship and equine assisted learning are recreation and learning programs and are not billable to extended health benefits.
How much does the adult day program cost?
The H.O.P.E. program is $50 per day without riding or $85 per day with a group riding lesson, and monthly instalments are available.
Location
Markdale, Ontario N0C 1H0
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.