Location: Duncan, British Columbia, Canada
Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association, often called Cowichan T.R.A. or CTRA, is a nonprofit equine-assisted services program in Duncan, British Columbia. The program provides therapeutic riding and equine-based wellness services for children, youth, and adults in the Cowichan Valley, with a focus on helping participants build physical, emotional, and social well-being through structured work with horses.
This is a long-established program with a broader scope than riding lessons alone. Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association offers therapeutic riding, therapeutic horsemanship, equine-assisted learning, para-equestrian sport, adapted equestrian vaulting, stable management vocational development, and camps, giving it a wide range of ways for participants to engage with horses based on their goals and support needs.
About This Program
Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association provides equine-based wellness programs for people with disabilities and diverse support needs. The program is built around individualized participation, with specialized therapy horses, trained instructors, and volunteer support helping participants work toward health, riding, competition, horsemanship, and personal development goals.
The program has a strong therapeutic and adaptive focus rather than functioning as a general lesson barn. Along with mounted riding, it also includes therapeutic horsemanship, equine-assisted learning, and vocational-style stable management experiences, which gives participants more than one path to build confidence, independence, and connection through horses.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic riding
- Therapeutic horsemanship
- Equine-assisted learning
- Para-equestrian sport
- Adapted equestrian vaulting
- Stable management vocational development
- Horse camps
- Volunteer-supported riding sessions
Who They Serve
Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association may be a good fit for:
- Children with disabilities
- Teens with disabilities
- Adults with disabilities
- Individuals with physical challenges
- Individuals with emotional or social support needs
- Individuals looking for therapeutic horsemanship
- Riders interested in para-equestrian opportunities
- Families looking for therapeutic riding in the Cowichan Valley area
Facility and Setting
Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association is based at 1843 Tzouhalem Road in Duncan, British Columbia, on Providence Farm. The program operates in a well-developed therapeutic riding setting that includes a large covered arena, a stable with stalls for multiple horses, offices, a viewing lounge, bleachers, and a tack shop.
The setting feels purpose-built for therapeutic and adaptive equestrian work rather than standard recreational riding alone. With its specialized horses, structured facility, accredited training status, and broad range of programming, it offers an environment where participants can build skills, confidence, and well-being in a supportive horse-centered space.
What Makes Them Unique
One of the things that stands out about Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association is the breadth of its programming. Instead of focusing only on therapeutic riding, it also includes therapeutic horsemanship, equine-assisted learning, para-equestrian opportunities, adapted vaulting, camps, and vocational development.
Another thing that stands out is how established and professionally structured the program is. Cowichan Therapeutic Riding Association has served the Cowichan Valley for decades and is recognized as an accredited examination and training centre through the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association.