Location: Aylesford, Nova Scotia, Canada
Free Spirit Therapeutic Riding Association, Inc. is an equine-assisted services program in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, serving children, youth, and adults through therapeutic riding and inclusive horse-centered programming. The program is built around access, encouragement, and positive development, creating a setting where participants of different ages and ability levels can build confidence, strength, skills, and connection through time with horses.
This is an active and well-established charitable program in the Annapolis Valley. Free Spirit operates out of Rohan Wood Stables and has grown into a broader community resource that offers more than traditional therapeutic riding alone. Alongside core riding lessons, the program also provides wellness programming, school programs, summer camp, and group experiences designed to make horse interaction more accessible and meaningful.
About This Program
Free Spirit Therapeutic Riding Association is a registered charity that has been serving the Annapolis Valley since its pilot launch in 2012. The program’s mission is centered on positive development and overall wellness through innovative and inclusive equine-assisted programming.
The work here is structured, welcoming, and community-based. Therapeutic riding remains a central part of the program, but the organization also supports participants through equine-supported wellness, school-based activities, camp experiences, and volunteer-driven programming. That gives the center a wider reach than a riding program built only around weekly mounted lessons.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic riding lessons
- Equine-supported wellness
- School programs
- Summer camp
- Group tours
- Adaptive horse-centered activities
- Volunteer-supported equine-assisted programming
Who They Serve
- Children
- Youth
- Adults
- Individuals with disabilities
- Individuals with physical challenges
- Individuals with cognitive challenges
- Individuals with emotional or social support needs
- School groups
- Community groups
- Participants of different ages and abilities seeking inclusive equine-assisted experiences
Facility and Setting
Free Spirit Therapeutic Riding Association operates out of Rohan Wood Stables in Aylesford. The program is based at 382 Morden Road and serves families in the Annapolis Valley through a horse-centered setting that supports both mounted and unmounted programming.
The atmosphere is inclusive, practical, and community-oriented. It is designed to give participants a safe and supportive place to work with horses at an individualized pace, while also offering enough program variety to serve riders, wellness participants, schools, and families across the region.
What Makes Them Unique
Free Spirit stands out for the way it combines traditional therapeutic riding with a broader inclusive programming model. In addition to riding lessons, it offers wellness programming, school-based opportunities, summer camp, and group experiences, which makes the organization feel more like a full community equine-assisted center than a single-format riding program.
Another strength is its active public presence and continued growth. The program remains visibly engaged with its community, shares regular updates, and continues to expand opportunities for participants, volunteers, and families in the Annapolis Valley.