The Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association (CanTRA) is a national registered charity that sets standards, certifies instructors, and accredits centres for therapeutic riding across Canada. Founded in 1980, it is recognized as the only governing body for therapeutic riding in the country, which makes it the reference point behind much of what “accredited” and “certified” mean in Canadian adaptive riding.¹

This guide explains what CanTRA does, how it is structured, and how it fits into the wider landscape of Canadian equine-assisted activities.

What CanTRA Is

CanTRA was established in 1980 as a registered charity dedicated to safe, structured, inclusive riding for people with disabilities. Its mission is often summed up in three words — challenge, achievement, and empowerment — pursued through partnership with the horse, for children and adults alike.¹

The organization sits within a global network as well. CanTRA was a founding member of Horses in Education and Therapy International (HETI), connecting it to associations worldwide that support ethical, educational dialogue in the field.² Closer to home, more than 80 accredited member centres across Canada and Bermuda participate in its network, supported by trained instructors and volunteers. Since 1986, the organization has also held a notable patron: Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, who lends her long-standing interest in therapeutic riding to CanTRA’s work.¹

What CanTRA Does

CanTRA’s work centres on instructor certification, program accreditation, and professional education — the three things that create consistency across Canadian therapeutic riding.

Instructor Certification

CanTRA runs a structured certification pathway that builds adaptive teaching skill and horsemanship knowledge. The levels progress from foundational to advanced, giving instructors clear steps for professional development.

Program Accreditation and Membership

Alongside certification, CanTRA accredits riding centres that meet its published standards, covering safety practices, operations, staff roles, environmental design, and horse welfare. Accreditation sets a shared minimum standard across participating programs and keeps facilities aligned with instructor training.

Education, Events, and Community

CanTRA also organizes workshops, continuing education, and national events that bring instructors, administrators, volunteers, and equine professionals together. In 2025, the organization marked its 45th anniversary with a national conference, a milestone reflecting decades of service to member programs in every province.²

What Accreditation Represents

When a centre holds CanTRA accreditation, it signals that the program has met standards for instruction, horse care, program structure, and facility operations. It does not mean every centre looks the same — each one works within its own environment — but it gives families a shared reference point that connects programs across the country.

In other words, accreditation reflects a commitment to thoughtful planning, responsible horsemanship, and consistent delivery within the CanTRA framework, rather than a single rigid template.

How CanTRA Fits Among Other Organizations

CanTRA’s focus is deliberately specific: instructor education and centre accreditation within therapeutic riding. Its certification aligns with national coaching standards recognized in the Canadian equestrian system, while remaining a distinct organization. It is not a clinical or medical body and does not oversee treatment services — equine-related clinical work falls under separate licensed professions with their own credentials.

Seen this way, CanTRA complements rather than competes with those other structures. It provides clarity around educational roles, instructor competencies, and program expectations, anchoring the therapeutic riding side of a broad and varied field.

A Short History

CanTRA began in 1980 with a small group of instructors and supporters who wanted a unified approach to adaptive riding education in Canada. Over the decades it expanded its certification levels, built a national network of accredited centres, secured royal patronage, and formed lasting ties to international bodies like HETI. Today it remains the recognized governing voice for therapeutic riding in Canada, supporting programs from coast to coast through standards, training, and collaboration.

Conclusion

CanTRA shapes Canada’s therapeutic riding community through its standards, certification pathways, and national network of accredited centres. By backing quality instruction, responsible horsemanship, and ongoing professional learning, it gives Canadian adaptive riding a consistent, trusted foundation.

Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association
Address: 5420 Side Road 6, Guelph, ON N1H 6J2, Canada
Phone: +1 519-767-0700
Website: www.cantra.ca

SOURCES

1. Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association — About and Services (governing body status, mission, 80+ centres in Canada and Bermuda, HETI membership, patron). cantra.ca
2. Canadian Therapeutic Riding: Celebrating 45 Years of Service — founding (1980), founding HETI member, 2025 anniversary conference. Horse Journals (2025).