SARI Therapeutic Riding is a charitable, volunteer-based organization that has provided therapeutic equine programs for people with special needs since 1978. Located in Arva, Ontario, SARI creates opportunities for people with disabilities to develop greater independence and freedom through meaningful connections with horses. The organization offers adaptive mounted and unmounted horsemanship programs designed to accommodate participants with different abilities and goals.
SARI’s programs extend beyond horseback riding to include grooming, horsemanship, life-skills activities, integrated children’s programs, summer camp, and occupational and physiotherapy services using hippotherapy as a treatment modality. Its therapeutic riding lessons are individualized around each participant’s physical, social, communication, and independence goals, with assessment by SARI’s therapy and riding team used to determine suitability and promote safety.
About This Program
SARI Therapeutic Riding provides adaptive equine experiences for people with disabilities throughout Southwest Ontario. Its therapeutic riding program uses specialized horseback riding lessons to address individual physical, social, communication, and independence goals. Lessons may be offered privately, semi-privately, or in groups and are generally scheduled once a week during program sessions.
For participants who cannot or prefer not to ride, SARI also provides opportunities to interact with horses from the ground through its grooming and horsemanship programming. The organization incorporates equine experiences into recreational, developmental, therapeutic, and life-skills activities.
Services Offered
- Therapeutic horseback riding
- Adaptive mounted horsemanship
- Unmounted horsemanship activities
- Horse grooming programs
- Life-skills programming
- Little Britches integrated children’s program
- Summer camp for children and youth
- Horsemanship education
- Occupational and physiotherapy services using hippotherapy
- Equine-assisted activities and recreational programs
Who They Serve
SARI Therapeutic Riding may be good for:
- Children and adults with disabilities
- Individuals seeking adaptive horseback riding opportunities
- Participants working toward physical, social, communication, or independence goals
- People who prefer unmounted interaction with horses
- Children with and without special needs participating in integrated programs
- Children and youth ages 6–18 interested in summer camp
- Families in London, Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, and Perth areas
- Individuals who may benefit from occupational or physiotherapy incorporating hippotherapy
Facility and Setting
SARI Therapeutic Riding is located at 12659 Medway Road in Arva, Ontario, in the Middlesex Centre area near London. The facility provides an equestrian environment where participants can engage with horses through mounted and unmounted activities. The site is listed as wheelchair accessible, supporting SARI’s emphasis on inclusive participation.
The organization serves communities throughout Southwest Ontario, including London, Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, and Perth. Its programs are structured around participant safety, individualized assessment, and the appropriate level of support for each person’s abilities and needs.
What Makes Them Unique
SARI Therapeutic Riding stands out for its long history of combining therapeutic equine experiences with inclusive recreation and skill development. Since 1978, the organization has focused on helping people with special needs build independence and confidence through their connection with horses.
Another distinguishing feature is the breadth of its programming. Participants can engage with horses through therapeutic riding, grooming, horsemanship, life-skills activities, children’s programs, summer camp, or clinical services incorporating hippotherapy. This range allows SARI to provide equine experiences for people with different abilities, interests, and participation goals.