Pegasus Riding Association Nurturing Challenged Equestrians
Saugeen Shores, Ontario
PRANCE (Pegasus Riding Association Nurturing Challenged Equestrians) is a registered charity based at Miramichi Farms near Port Elgin in Saugeen Shores, Ontario. It runs therapeutic riding for children and adults with disabilities, ground-based equine therapy for children 8 and up, teens and adults, and integrated horse camps for kids of all abilities.
- Therapeutic riding (10-week spring and fall sessions)
- Equine Facilitated Therapy (Eagala model, non-riding)
- Team building and group sessions
- Integrated summer horse day camp
- Integrated March Break camp
- Ground-based grooming option for non-riders
- Children and adults with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities
- Children 8 and up, teens and adults with mental health needs
- Veterans and first responders
- Children ages 5 to 12 of all abilities (summer camp)
More about this center
About the Program
Riding sessions run for ten weeks from mid-September to the end of November and from mid-April to June. Classes are on weekdays, with a limited number of evening spots. Riders usually come for 1.5 hours a week and, where possible, work with the same horse and volunteers each time. The instructors are CanTRA-trained.
Equine Facilitated Therapy is a non-riding program led by mental health therapists and equine specialists, all certified in the Eagala model. Clinicians work with trauma, stress, anxiety, depression, history of abuse, grief, loss and life transitions. To book, email prance.efw@gmail.com or call 519-832-2522.
The integrated summer day camp takes eight children a week, ages 5 to 12, in two groups of four, from 9 am to 1 pm, with a daily riding lesson and barn activities. Priority goes to children with special needs. The fee is $595, and help with the cost is available through the Larry Bannerman Foundation. A five-day March Break camp runs 11 am to 3 pm.
The Horses and Staff
Ann Marie Johnston is the executive director. Amy Hodkinson is head therapeutic riding instructor, Jenn Sanderson is instructor and head equine specialist for the wellness program, Erin Tims, MSW, is the social worker, and Darcy Sanderson manages Miramichi Farms.
The herd includes Quarter Horses, Appaloosas, Fjords, a Haflinger, a Thoroughbred and a Paint pony. King, a Fjord/Percheron, is used as a lift horse for riders who use wheelchairs.
History
Kathy and Brad Pryde built Miramichi Farms in 1992 with a therapeutic riding program in mind. PRANCE formed a board and incorporated as a non-profit in 1993.
Volunteering
Volunteers give about two hours a week in the spring and/or fall. No horse experience is needed, training is provided, and high school students can earn volunteer hours.
Location
PRANCE is based at Miramichi Farms, a 300-acre property on the eastern shore of Lake Huron near Port Elgin, in Saugeen Shores, Ontario. The mailing address is P.O. Box 2037, Port Elgin, ON N0H 2C0. The grounds are closed to the public and there are no public trail rides, but visits and tours can be arranged by calling 519-832-2522.
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 for therapeutic riding?
Call 519-832-2522 or email prance@bmts.com to request an application. Riders must be at least 5 and join on a trial basis after an individual assessment.
Are there any rider requirements?
Riders should generally weigh no more than about 180 lbs, be able to sit upright on a moving horse, and have seizures controlled for at least six months. People with Down syndrome need a negative screening for atlantoaxial instability.
Can insurance cover equine therapy sessions?
Many clients have sessions covered by insurance. Funding sources include Health Canada's NIHB program, Jordan's Principle, Victims' Services, and Blue Cross for veterans and first responders. PRANCE also has limited funding for families without benefits.
Location
Saugeen Shores, Ontario N0H 2C0
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.