Sometimes participants may start sharing lots of thoughts or stories that aren’t related to the task at hand. This is common—and totally okay!—but it’s important to help bring their attention back to riding in a gentle and supportive way. Here are a few helpful strategies: Use redirecting language like: “Let’s talk about riding.”, “Let’s talk about trotting/turning/getting the ball.”, “Thanks for telling me—let’s talk about that later.”, “We are riding now.” Offer a quick ph

When leading a horse, always look ahead to where you want to go. Turning around to check on the horse can confuse them, as they’re masters at reading body language. If you face them while trying to move forward, you’re sending mixed signals. Horses, as four-legged animals, naturally move in a horizontal alignment, while humans, being two-legged, move vertically. Imagine an invisible line extending from your belly button and, similarly, from a horse’s chest. This line represen

Curious about volunteering with us? Join our Volunteer Orientation event on December 18th at 5:30pm! This session includes a 1-hour informative discussion on volunteer position opportunities, followed by an exciting barn tour. Don't miss this chance to learn about our volunteer roles and explore our facility firsthand! The Volunteer Orientation event is NOT mandatory to apply as a volunteer and attend one of our training session in the future. Free session - Save your spot on

Join us for some festive fun at VTRA's Deck the Stalls event! Come tour our beautiful barn, enjoy the holiday decorations, vote for your favorite decorated stall, and listen to live music from The Victoria Fiddle Society (AM) and The Red Tent Jam (PM)! Don't miss the chance to take a seasonal photo with one of our adorable herd members, all decked out for the holidays. This is a great opportunity to connect with our community, see our horses, and experience the joy that VTRA

This week we’re continuing our Safety and Emergency Series with two important items: the AED and First Aid Kits . AED (Automated External Defibrillator): You’ll find it at the entrance of the barn , mounted on the wall to the left , just before the chalkboard. First Aid Kits, t here are two locations : In the office kitchen , on the shelf next to the fridge. In the arena , in the first door of the kick boards to the right. Next time you’re on site, take a moment to locate the

We’re kicking off our Safety and Emergency Series with an important question: Where is the muster point? In the event of a fire, earthquake, or any emergency where everyone on site needs to gather, the muster point is located behind the big blue garbage bin in the parking lot. Next time you come for your shift, take a moment to find it so you’ll be prepared if an emergency ever happens. Knowing where to go keeps everyone safe and organized!