Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Community Association for Riders with Disabilities (C.A.R.D.) is a nonprofit equine-assisted services program in Toronto, Ontario, that provides therapeutic riding and related horse-based programming for children and adults with disabilities in a safe, welcoming, and highly structured environment.
About This Program
CARD offers therapeutic riding lessons designed to support riders with disabilities and special needs through individualized instruction and carefully structured classes. Lessons are taught by instructors certified through CanTRA, PATH International, and/or OEF, with small class sizes that allow for individualized attention while still supporting group interaction.
The program includes three main formats: mounted therapy classes, ground programs, and Friends of CARD. Ground programs focus on grooming, horse interaction, communication, empathy, and problem-solving from the ground, while mounted classes combine riding skills and mounted games with therapy-related goals. C.A.R.D also operates year-round, with fall, winter, spring, and summer programming.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic riding lessons
- Mounted therapy classes
- Ground programs
- Friends of CARD program
- Summer programming
- Horsemanship and horse interaction activities
Who They Serve
C.A.R.D may be a good fit for:
- Children with disabilities
- Adults with disabilities
- Individuals with special needs
- Riders who benefit from individualized therapeutic riding instruction
- Groups that benefit from ground-based horse interaction programs
Facility and Setting
C.A.R.D operates from its facility in G. Ross Lord Park in Toronto and runs classes six days a week. The program is fully accessible and offers a heated indoor arena, which supports year-round riding and consistent scheduling.
- Year-round programming
- Classes run six days a week
- Fully accessible facility
- Heated indoor arena
- Small class sizes with a maximum of four riders per group
What Makes Them Unique
C.A.R.D stands out for its long-established presence, year-round programming, and combination of mounted and ground-based therapeutic options. The program also emphasizes individualized support through small classes and certified instructors, which helps create a strong balance between safety, therapeutic goals, and riding development.
The organization also offers a broader program structure than many single-format riding centers by including ground programs for external groups and the Friends of CARD program for experienced riders connected to the organization.