Riders Thrilled After Trying First-of-its-kind Innovation at VTRA

Press Release

Victoria/Saanichton – May 23, 2025

Almost immediately after sitting down and taking the controls, Jan Mahone is beaming, smiling from ear to ear.  Her crutches lie on the ground next to her, and Mahone is sitting tall, riding with confidence.  She’s not on a living, breathing horse, but a simulator, paired with brand new technology called Motivex. CanAssist, a University of Victoria organization, developed Motivex to help riders with diverse abilities get started at the Victoria Therapeutic Riding Association.

The MiraColt riding simulator is a commercially available product.  The new software, Motivex, is linked to the simulator using a wireless Bluetooth motion sensor.  It also connects to videos of local trails, shot from a horseback rider’s point of view.

“The sensor sends a signal to the software that the simulator is moving, or in this case that it’s walking or galloping.  The linkage between that is that as you change the speed on the MiraColt the video playback will sync its speed” says Paul Green, CanAssist Associate Director.  The riders see and feel what it’s like on a real ride, but in a safer, more accessible way.

The simulator paired with Motivex will open up therapeutic riding to those who might otherwise be unable to ride a horse due to physical limitations or fear. By working with instructors and therapists on the simulator, participants can gradually build the muscle strength, flexibility, and confidence required to eventually transition to real horseback riding. The simulator also offers an opportunity for those on the waitlist to begin their therapeutic journey without delay.  It will also assist those already riding at VTRA.

“Just getting on that, feeling the rhythm, it gets those muscles loosened up and the core back.  I can see wanting to get on that before every lesson for sure,” says Mahone.  Getting warmed up properly is important for her.  Cerebral Palsy and Motor Neuron Degeneration have impacted Mahone’s flexibility, coordination, and ability to walk.  She says the four years she has been riding, VTRA has changed her life.

“It’s been the best thing for me, just awesome.  I went from getting on the horse and after 15 minutes having to get off because it was so painful, to now I do the full lesson.  It has really helped me a lot.”  She expects adding the simulator to her routine will help even more.

This innovative effort is powered by the Vancouver Island community. The journey began with a generous donation from Lynda and Murray Farmer.  The couple was among dozens of VTRA staff and supporters on hand to see the first riders try the simulator.

“Horses are very special animals and what they can give to the students here at VTRA is a feeling of accomplishment, a feeling of security, and also of control, which for most of them is a very important change in their lives.  We’re just really happy that we were able to help in a small way,” says Murray Farmer.

“We are so grateful that with the donation of this riding simulator, more people, with even more diverse abilities, will be able to access our programs,” says Liz Gagel, Executive Director of VTRA. “We’re also excited the MiraColt is portable, so we can take it to other facilities, such as seniors’ homes, to introduce more people to the benefits of therapeutic riding.”

The simulator is much lower to the ground than a real horse, making it easier for those with physical restrictions, or who are smaller in size, like six year old Casey, to get on. Casey managed a short lesson on the simulator with ease, to the delight of his mother, Jayne Imeson.

“It does an incredible job of replicating the horse’s movement, it’s unbelievable, I’m truly blown away,” says Imeson.  She’s looking forward to seeing the impact riding on the simulator will have on Casey. He struggles with things like balance and motor skills due to Cerebellar Ataxia. Imeson says in the two years Casey has been doing therapeutic riding, she’s seen a marked improvement in his movement.  “I’m unbelievably grateful that this place is here and that it’s given my son so much independence in his day-to-day life because of the strength and skills that he’s built here.  It’s truly a wonderful place.”

Media Contacts

Liz Gagel, VTRA Executive Director: (778) 426-0506 | Liz.Gagel@vtra.ca

Robin Syme (CanAssist) at 250-818-5182 | syme@uvic.ca

Jennifer Kwan (University Communications and Marketing) | uvicnews@uvic.ca

VTRA is a non-profit charitable organization that uses horseback riding as a therapeutic aid for children and adults of diverse abilities throughout Greater Victoria. VTRA is supported by a small staff and a team of about 250 dedicated volunteers, as well as a dozen horses.  Therapeutic riding helps improve the cognitive, physical, and emotional wellbeing of children and adults with diverse abilities. For more information, please visit vtra.ca

CanAssist at the University of Victoria is focused on addressing the unmet needs of people who face challenges in realizing their full potential particularly those with disabilities.  CanAssist focuses on reach and impact.  We are committed to advancing inclusion and accessibility at the provincial and national levels and strive to have an international presence. For more information about CanAssist visit canassist.ca 

The University of Victoria is a leading research-intensive institution, offering transformative, hands-on learning opportunities to more than 22,000 students on the beautiful coast of British Columbia. As a hub of groundbreaking research, UVic faculty, staff and students are making a significant impact on issues addressing challenges that matter to people, places and the planet. UVic consistently publishes a higher proportion of research based on international collaborations than any other university in North America. Our commitment to advancing climate action, addressing social determinants of health, and supporting Indigenous reconciliation and revitalization is making a difference—from scientific and business breakthroughs to cultural and creative achievements. Find out more at uvic.ca.

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