Location: Rocky View County, Alberta, Canada
The Calgary Therapeutic Riding Association (CTRA) is a registered Canadian charitable organization offering therapeutic horseback riding programs for individuals with disabilities of all abilities in the Calgary area.
Formerly known as 4:13 Therapeutic Riding Association, the organization recently rebranded under its current name. The program is a CanTRA (Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association) member centre and operates at Shire Ridge Ranch in Rocky View County, west of Calgary. It serves children and adults from age 2 and up, providing individualized, accessible, and affordable equine-assisted programming supported by a dedicated volunteer team.
About This Program
CTRA’s programs are designed to relieve conditions associated with disability through therapeutic riding that supports the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of participants and their families. The therapeutic riding approach uses adapted horsemanship activities, modified equipment, trained therapy horses, and specialized coaching to meet each rider’s individual needs.
Lessons run approximately one hour with up to four riders per session. Each session is staffed by a certified instructor, with volunteers serving as horse leaders and sidewalkers throughout. Volunteers match their level of involvement to the rider’s balance and ability, assisting with grooming and tacking before and after lessons as well as directly supporting riders in the arena.
The program runs seasonally, with programming typically beginning in May, and includes activities such as horsemanship skills, games on horseback, arena activities, a musical ride, and outdoor trail rides at Shire Ridge Ranch. The organization maintains partnerships with a range of Calgary-area disability organizations and community groups including the Autism Aspergers Friendship Society, Cerebral Palsy Kids and Families, Children’s Link, Between Friends, and Rocky Mountain Adaptive.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic horseback riding (individualized, adapted equipment)
- Grooming and tacking instruction
- Horsemanship skills and games on horseback
- Musical ride activities
- Outdoor trail rides
- Volunteer program (leaders, sidewalkers, barn helpers)
Who They Serve
Calgary Therapeutic Riding Association may be a good fit for:
- Children and adults with disabilities, from age 2 and up
- Individuals with autism spectrum disorder
- Individuals with cerebral palsy
- Individuals with developmental delays or disabilities
- Individuals with physical disabilities
- Individuals with emotional or behavioral challenges
- Families in Calgary and the surrounding Rocky View County area
Facility and Setting
CTRA operates at Shire Ridge Ranch at 41091 Cook Road in Rocky View County, Alberta, west of Calgary. The ranch setting provides a scenic, rural environment well suited to the therapeutic and recreational aspects of the program. The facility is accessible from Calgary and has ample space for outdoor trail riding alongside arena-based lessons.
- Rocky View County, Alberta location (west of Calgary)
- 41091 Cook Road, Rocky View County, Alberta T4C 3A2
- Operates at Shire Ridge Ranch
- CanTRA (Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association) member centre
- Registered Canadian charity
What Makes Them Unique
CTRA’s community partnership network is notably broad for a program of its size, with formal affiliations across multiple Calgary disability organizations representing autism, cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities, and adaptive sport. These partnerships create meaningful referral pathways and reflect an organization that has positioned itself as part of a wider ecosystem of inclusive services rather than operating in isolation.
The recent rebrand from 4:13 Therapeutic Riding Association to Calgary Therapeutic Riding Association also signals a moment of organizational growth and renewed community presence. For families in the Calgary region seeking an accessible, volunteer-supported, CanTRA-certified therapeutic riding program with strong community connections, CTRA is a well-rooted option.