The Equestrian Association for the Disabled
Mount Hope, Ontario
TEAD Therapeutic Riding Centre (The Equestrian Association for the Disabled) is a charitable organization on a farm on Leeming Road East in Mount Hope, Ontario. It offers adaptive riding, grooming, clinical services including hippotherapy and equine-assisted psychotherapy, equine-assisted learning for schools and groups, and Camp Wrangler. Its programs serve children, youth and adults.
- Adaptive riding (private, semi-private and group lessons)
- Grooming (unmounted program)
- Hippotherapy with a licensed occupational therapist
- Occupational therapy
- Equine-assisted psychotherapy
- Equine-assisted speech-language therapy through Incredible Speech
- Equine-assisted learning for schools, groups and workplaces
- Camp Wrangler summer day camp and PD Day programs
- Children, youth and adults
- Children and adults with speech or language delays, including autistic clients
- People working on anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief or self-esteem
- Children ages 6 to 16, with or without disabilities (summer camp)
- School field trips, vocational programs and youth or adult groups
More about this center
About the Program
TEAD was established in 1978 and began with two borrowed horses at a farm in Ancaster. It has been based at its farm on Leeming Road in Mount Hope since 1999. Therapeutic riding lessons run six days a week, taught by instructors certified through the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA). The centre is also an accredited CanTRA examination centre where instructors from across Canada come to certify.
Adaptive riding is a recreational program rather than therapy, so lessons are not billable under most insurance plans. Lessons run on an 8 to 12 week commitment. Riders who are not medically cleared to ride can join unmounted programs such as grooming.
Clinical Care
Hippotherapy is facilitated by a licensed occupational therapist, in 30 or 60 minute sessions. Equine-assisted psychotherapy is unmounted work with horses, such as grooming, leading and groundwork, followed by reflective discussion. It is led by an occupational therapist with training in psychotherapy. A treatment block is 12 sessions plus a virtual treatment plan update. Melody Maximos, an occupational therapist, is the Program Director of Clinical Services.
Speech-language therapy with horses is offered through a partnership with Incredible Speech, whose certified speech-language pathologists and communicative disorders assistants run the sessions. Clients book directly with Incredible Speech.
The Horses and Staff
The herd has 14 horses, including a Haflinger, Standardbreds, Quarter Horse crosses and draft crosses, along with Waldo, a mammoth donkey. The centre says it relies on close to 200 volunteers to run its lessons.
Location
TEAD is at 8360 Leeming Road East, R.R.#3, Mount Hope, Ontario L0R 1W0. The farm covers more than 90 acres of forest, trails and open space and includes an indoor riding arena and a clubhouse.
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 start adaptive riding at TEAD?
Complete the online intake form and click Register. Staff will follow up and send a medical form for your doctor, then book a one-time assessment ($45) with a CanTRA-certified instructor before you register for lessons.
What do lessons cost?
Private lessons are $125 for 45 minutes, semi-private $100 for 45 minutes and group lessons $75 for 60 minutes, plus a $15 annual membership fee. Subsidies are offered when grant funding allows, and families who need help with the cost can apply before registration opens for each session.
Are there age or weight limits for riding?
Riders must be at least 2 years old and weigh no more than 170 lbs, and a doctor's medical form is reviewed before riding is approved. Camp Wrangler is for ages 6 to 16.
How do I book hippotherapy or psychotherapy?
Clinical programs keep a waitlist. Email clinical@tead.on.ca to ask questions or join it. Hippotherapy is $200 for 60 minutes or $100 for 30 minutes.
Location
Mount Hope, Ontario L0R 1W0
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.