Rainbow Riders
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Riding Centre is a registered charity at 103 Mount Scio Road in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. It offers therapeutic riding, unmounted horse programs and an equine-facilitated wellness program for children and adults with physical, emotional, cognitive or social disabilities. The centre describes itself as the largest therapeutic riding program in Atlantic Canada, with more than 200 participants each week.
- Therapeutic riding (private, semi-private and group)
- Horse Discovery (unmounted horse care lessons)
- Hybrid Program (summer)
- School group sessions
- Open Trails equine-facilitated wellness (unmounted)
- Competitive para dressage team
- Pony Pals
- Children and adults of all ages
- People with autism, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome
- People with ADHD, anxiety or depression
- People with PTSD
- People with traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injuries
- People with amputations, including congenital limb absence
- School classes from the metro area
- Children ages 5 to 8 with or without a diagnosis (Pony Pals)
More about this center
About the Program
Therapeutic riding lessons run 30 minutes to an hour and are taught by CanTRA-certified instructors or by instructor candidates under their supervision. Riders may ride on their own or with volunteer support. Horse Discovery is a 45-minute, one-on-one unmounted lesson covering grooming, leading and feeding, and is generally recommended before riding or as an alternative when riding is not suitable.
The Hybrid Program runs in summer and pairs 30 minutes of grooming and tacking up with a 45-minute riding lesson alongside three or four other riders; the centre suggests contacting it in late spring to join the waitlist. School groups from the metro area come during school hours for weekly sessions over at least four weeks. Riders who can ride a 3 to 5 minute pattern without help from an instructor or horse leader can join the Competitive Team, which enters the Equestrian Canada Para Dressage Video Competition series.
Open Trails
Open Trails is an unmounted equine-facilitated wellness program offered as an alternative approach to mental health support. Sessions are led by a certified mental health professional working with a horse handler and may include trail walks, observing the horses, grooming and leading. The program lead is Charlotte Akerman, MSW, RSW, a social worker certified as an equine-assisted mental health clinician. Its registration forms and inquiries go to opentrails@rainbowridersnl.ca.
The Horses and Staff
Andrea Gillies founded Rainbow Riders more than 30 years ago. The centre keeps about 25 horses and has an indoor arena, so programs can run year-round. Erin O'Rielly is executive director and head instructor (CanTRA CTR-II, Equestrian Canada competition coach), and several other instructors hold CanTRA certifications. Volunteers help with lessons, and the centre relies on donations and fundraising.
Location
Rainbow Riders is at 103 Mount Scio Road in Pippy Park, St. John's, NL A1B 4J9 (mailing address PO Box 23199). The office is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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 register for therapeutic riding?
Each rider needs a registration form and a primary care provider referral form, and riders with Down syndrome also need an atlanto-axial x-ray verification form. Send forms or questions to registration@rainbowridersnl.ca.
Do I need a doctor's referral for unmounted programs?
A referral is not required for unmounted programs such as Horse Discovery, but the centre strongly recommends one.
How much do lessons cost?
Call 709-738-1055 or email registration@rainbowridersnl.ca to ask about current rates. The centre runs a scholarship program funded through its Sponsor-A-Rider donations, so families who need help with the cost can ask about it.
Location
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 4J9
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.