Équi-Libre Therapeutic Riding Centre
St-Lazare, Québec
Équi-Libre Therapeutic Riding Centre is a non-profit organization in St-Lazare, Quebec, that offers therapy, leisure, sport and learning programs with horses for people with disabilities in the Montérégie region. Programs include therapeutic riding, equine-assisted occupational therapy using a hippotherapy approach, equine-assisted learning and para-dressage. The center serves more than 80 riders and clients each week.
- Therapeutic riding (semi-private, 60 or 90 minutes)
- Equine-assisted occupational therapy (hippotherapy approach)
- Equine-assisted learning (unmounted, one-on-one)
- Para-dressage
- Group visits for schools and community groups
- Children from age 2 (occupational therapy)
- Riders age 5 and up with cognitive, communication or motor differences
- Students age 8 and up, including students with IEPs and homeschoolers
- Para-dressage riders age 12 and up
- Schools, day camps, rehabilitation programs and community groups
More about this center
About the Program
Therapeutic riding is offered in semi-private groups for riders age 5 and up with cognitive, communication or motor differences, including riders without a diagnosis. Lessons cover horse handling, grooming and riding. Instructors are certified by the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA), and occupational therapists help set individual goals for each rider. A 60-minute session is $75 and a 90-minute session is $90, with a commitment to a full session required.
Equine-assisted occupational therapy is led by occupational therapists certified in hippotherapy by the American Hippotherapy Association. Clients from age 2 start with an assessment ($300, with a receipt for insurance), then have individual 20-minute ($85) or 50-minute ($145) sessions aimed at goals such as posture, gait, self-regulation and daily independence.
Equine-assisted learning is a ground-based program for students age 8 and up, held one-on-one in a closed arena, with goals such as confidence, focus and problem-solving. Private 90-minute sessions are $120. Para-dressage, for riders age 12 and up who want to compete, is $70 per hour and is taught by a CanTRA-certified coach who is also a Canada Equestrian dressage competition coach.
The Horses and Staff
The herd has 10 therapy horses and ponies, chosen for calm, curious and patient temperaments. Devon O'Farrell, a co-founder, is the executive director and a CanTRA-certified therapeutic riding instructor. Kendra Flynn Stronach, a CanTRA coach and examiner and a Canada Equestrian competition coach, is chief instructor. An occupational therapist with level 2 AHA hippotherapy certification is on the team.
History
Devon O'Farrell and Joannie Chiasson started the program in St-Lazare in 2016 under the name Enfants en Équi-Libre, with two horses and rented arena time at a local stable. It became a non-profit organization in 2021 and is a member of CanTRA.
Volunteering
Volunteers age 14 and up (or 10 to 13 with a parent) help one to two hours a week or every other week, and commit to at least one eight- to ten-week session a year. Horse experience is not required, and training is provided.
Location
Équi-Libre is at 4200 chemin Ste-Angélique, St-Lazare, QC J7T 2N5, west of Montreal in the Montérégie region. The 24-acre farm has indoor and outdoor riding arenas, a heated barn, a lounge and hiking trails.
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?
Email info@eltrc.org with the name of the program in the subject line. Occupational therapy clients start with an initial assessment before regular sessions.
What are the age minimums?
Occupational therapy starts at age 2, therapeutic riding at 5, equine-assisted learning at 8 and para-dressage at 12.
Can schools or groups visit?
Yes. Schools, day camps, rehabilitation programs and community groups can book mounted or ground visits from two hours to a full day, with a custom quote. April to October is the best time for large groups.
How do I contact the center?
Call (438) 403-3341 or email info@eltrc.org.
Location
St-Lazare, Québec J7T 2N5
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.