About

Prairie Strides is an adaptive horseback riding program for children with disabilities. Riding sessions are conducted by trained adaptive riding instructors in conjunction with volunteer physiotherapists, speech language pathologists and occupational therapists.

There are usually two sessions (spring and fall) each year consisting of 10 weeks each session. We have over 100 volunteers who attend a minimum of one class per week and include a leader for each horse, two sidewalkers for each rider, barn and arena help, activity leaders, greeters, certified instructors and therapists. There are also a number of our valuable spares who fill in on very short notice and keep the program running.

Prairie Strides is a Charitable Organization.

The annual cost to run our program is approximately $160,000. Less than 10% of the cost is covered by the riding fees. We rely on fundraising and donations to meet the remainder of the expenses so that we may continue to exist and provide this unique therapy for children with varying abilities.

Formed in 1977 to provide an adaptive riding program for children with a variety of abilities, Prairie Strides is able to provide adaptive riding for children 5 to 15 years of age. Prairie Strides is run by a volunteer Board of Directors and one office staff.

Adaptive riding can help children with diagnosis such as:

• cerebral palsy
• visual impairment
• autism
• other developmental challenges

How Riding Helps

Riding helps by providing stimulus by creating a unique therapeutic and social environment. As the horse is walking, the motion imparted to the rider is similar to normal human walking, gently mobilizing the joints.

• Physical Benefit: Riding can improve balance and coordination, strengthen muscles, increase circulation and decrease spasticity.
• Psychological Benefit: Riding presents participants with a challenge and gives them a sense of achievement with every completed session. This helps to increase self confidence as well as a general sense of well-being.
• Social Benefit: Riding can also help participants develop a strong bond of respect, trust and friendship with both the horse and volunteers.

Our office is located in the Sport for Life (Sport MB) building at 145 Pacific Ave, Winnipeg, Manitoba. You can contact the us at Tel: 204.925.5905 or Email: exedir@prairiestrides.com

Download our brochure HERE