"Being around horses can have such a calming effect on both our riders and volunteers; it's very magical!" Halifax Lancers Therapeutic Riding Program Volunteer Coordinator, Emily Jewers.
Recreation Nova Scotia's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Highlights series is kicking off 2025 with a focus on the Halifax Lancers Therapeutic Riding Program. The Halifax Lancers is located in the heart of Halifax and is Canada's only urban, non-profit riding school and equine therapy centre. Lancers' mission is to 'Build Better Lives Through Horses'and have made horses and riding accessible to children in Halifax since 1936. Lancers owns and cares for 29 horses, known as the "Horses of Halifax," and offers programs to riders ages 6 to 75 with varying abilities and skill levels. They also offer an equine-supported wellness program and organize free public events. Among these are the free Musical Ride performances held twice a year in their riding ring across the street from Citadel Hill—once on Canada Day and again during their Open House in the fall.
The therapeutic riding program has been in operation since the late 1960s and was originally created for the children's hospital and school for the blind. Today, it continues to be linked to the IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax and still offers therapeutic programming for people with disabilities. Selected horses and ponies receive extra training to prepare for activities and get familiar with the adaptive equipment used during lessons. Participants are provided with approved riding helmets and adaptive equipment they may need to participate. Two program sessions are held annually, which consist of two lessons a week for six weeks.
Because of Lancers' urban location, riders and program participants can walk, bike, and use Halifax Transit routes to reach the facility. The facility's parking area can also accommodate those requiring Access-A-Bus transportation.
Lessons are guided by instructor Juliana Boyd, volunteer coordinator Emily Jewerand, and a team of 50-60 volunteers. "Our volunteers are at the heart of our program," Emily says. "They are so dedicated and passionate about helping our riders achieve their goals each session. Many volunteers often say they get just as much out of volunteering as they put in and that spending time in the barn makes their day. Being around horses can have such a calming effect on both our riders and volunteers; it's very magical!" Anyone interested in volunteering for a future session can sign up on their website. No horse experience is necessary.
Lancers Board President Lynn Flewelling says therapeutic riding can help improve the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of most people with disabilities, "Riding for these equestrians can be a challenging and an invigorating form of exercise and recreation that gives the rider a sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem." She says that for individuals with disabilities that affect mobility, the horse provides freedom of movement and independence from assistive devices such as wheelchairs and crutches. The physical benefits include improvements in balance and coordination and an increase in agility because of the mobilization of stiff joints and strengthening of muscles. The social, emotional, and mental benefits include improved communication, focus, self-esteem, and confidence.
Lancers strives to keep their programs financially accessible and offers rider bursaries to ensure people from all income levels can enjoy the Horses of Halifax. Lynn explains that donations the organization receives help support the therapeutic riding program, help replace retired horses, fund regular countryside vacations for the horses, cover repairs and maintenance of their heritage stables, and replace or update tack and equipment. Lynn also shared that the organization recently fundraised for an important facility upgrade: "We held a campaign to install an accessible ramp near the entrance to our arena, which has been a wonderful addition to the program."
Looking forward to the future, Halifax Lancers is excited to announce a new partnership with Easter Seals Nova Scotia. Lancers Stables on Bell Road will host Easter Seals' annual "Learn to Ride" program, an inclusive equestrian day camp for children and youth with disabilities, in the summer of 2025.