Trot Into Spring: Community Event We’re thrilled to invite you to the first-ever Trot Into Spring Event , a Spring-themed community event hosted by Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association (VTRA) in collaboration with Ponies & Paint Nights ! This festive morning is all about bringing our community together , enjoy some fun activities in the barn, craft activities and raise awareness for the transformative work we do at VTRA—supporting individuals of all abilities through Equin

Step by Step: A Participant’s Journey at VTRA This term, we had the joy of watching Saffy , a bright and expressive 4‑year‑old living with Down Syndrome, continue her Early Participant journey with her equine partner Trigger . Although illness prevented her from joining us for a couple of lessons, her growth over the term has been remarkable and we are thrilled that she is already registered to return for Term 4 in April . Saffy originally joined VTRA through our Early In

We’re starting our yearly process of acclimating the horses to grass so they’ll be ready for daily access to the back field once it opens. This slow introduction is essential to keep their tummies happy, healthy, and safe as spring grazing begins. This week, each horse will enjoy 5 to 10 minutes of grass time. We’ll gradually increase the duration every week until the back field is ready to welcome the herd, fingers crossed for the end of Spring Break Camps! A huge tha

A gentle reminder for everyone tacking up horses: a correctly tightened girth is essential for our horses’ comfort and wellbeing. 1. Don’t Over‑Tighten: A girth that’s too tight can cause pinching, pressure points, and overall discomfort. Tighten gradually and always check how the horse is responding. 2. Keep Both Sides Balanced (picture 1&2): Make sure both billets (straps) are on similar holes . If one side is at the top and the other is on hole one, the pressure is uneven

This year, instead of the Spring Plant Sale, we are excited to launch our new Spring fundraiser with Purdys' Chocolatier . You can CLICK HERE to place your order. Every purchase helps fund essential horse care, training, and program needs, ensuring people with diverse abilities continue to access life-changing Equine-Assisted Services. The more the fundraiser is shared, the greater the impact. Please help us spread the word within your community. The campaign closes on Marc

When working with a participant who is visually distracted or not focusing, it’s important to help gently guide their attention without overwhelming them. Try using simple, consistent prompts that cue them to look or engage. Some helpful strategies include: Saying their name to get their attention Using clear phrases like: “Watch me”, “Eyes here”, “Look this way” Priming with alerting words like: “Ready?”, “Here we go!” These cues help orient participants without adding press