North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association
Maple Ridge, British Columbia
North Fraser Therapeutic Riding Association (NFTRA) is a registered charity in Maple Ridge, BC. It offers therapeutic riding for children and adults who experience physical, mental, developmental, emotional or social challenges, along with a summer camp for children and a program for seniors.
- Therapeutic riding (private or semi-private sessions)
- Summer camp for children
- Senior Stretch & Strengthen program
- Volunteer training in grooming, tacking, leading and sidewalking
- Children
- Adults
- Seniors
- People with physical challenges
- People with developmental challenges
- People with mental, emotional or social challenges
More about this center
About the Program
Each rider is assessed first, and staff set goals based on the rider's needs before matching them with a horse, an instructor and a volunteer team. Riders can choose private or semi-private sessions. The riding year runs in winter, spring, summer and fall sessions.
The summer camp gives children games and activities with the horses. Senior Stretch & Strengthen is aimed at seniors in the community, and the association says it helps with mobility, balance, flexibility and stiffness.
The Horses and Staff
Lessons are taught by CanTRA-certified instructors, and the association describes itself as a CanTRA centre. The program manager is a CanTRA mentor. The team includes several CanTRA Basic Instructors and a CanTRA Senior Instructor who is also a Registered Clinical Counsellor.
The current herd has six horses: Amigo, Inga, Tala, Skylar, Ryder and April. New horses go through a two-month trial before joining the program.
History
The program began in the mid-1970s in a backyard with one family's pony and another family's two donkeys. It was incorporated as a society in BC in 2003. After years on 254th Street and later at Park Lane, it moved to the former Hampton Farm in July 2025.
Volunteering
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, and no horse experience is needed because training is provided. Volunteers groom, tack, lead and sidewalk during lessons, and also help with the office, maintenance, photography, fundraising and events. Applications are made through the online volunteer form.
Location
The facility and office are at 12591 209th Street, Maple Ridge, BC V2X 4N2, on the 17-acre former Hampton Farm property, with a 1,200 square-metre covered riding arena and a 10-stall barn. Mail goes to PO Box 31601, Meadowvale Shopping Centre, Pitt Meadows, BC V3Y 2G7.
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 a rider?
Fill out the application form on the Get Started page. The program manager then sends a Physician Referral Form and a Get to Know Me Form, and once those are returned, she schedules an assessment and tour.
Who can ride?
The association serves children and adults who experience physical, mental, developmental, emotional or social challenges. Every new rider has an assessment before being placed.
How much do sessions cost?
Call 604-462-7786 or email manager@nftra.ca to ask about current rates for riding sessions, camp and the seniors' program.
Location
Maple Ridge, British Columbia V2X 4N2
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.