Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we get.

Q: How to become a participant?

CTRC has very specific participant intake steps, which can be found here. Please note that a participant must be at least 2 ½ years old to participate in equine assisted therapy and at least 4 years old to participate in therapeutic horsemanship. There is no maximum age. While no clinical diagnosis is necessary to participate, it is required that participants have a need for our specialized, therapeutic environment.

Q: What’s the difference between Therapeutic Horsemanship and Equine Assisted Therapy?

While both activities engage a horse’s dynamic movement and behavior to stimulate physical, mental, and emotional growth, each is unique.

Therapeutic Horsemanship  at CTRC is taught by a PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and is conducted in a group or semi-private setting. These sessions are aimed to teach participants horsemanship, and by extension, life skills. Benefits of Therapeutic Horsemanship include the development of cognitive, physical and social skills. Group classes are organized by age, type of disability and level of riding skill. Therapeutic Horsemanship may be offered in both mounted, and unmounted sessions depending on the need of our participants.

Equine Assisted Therapy (Hippotherapy or EAT) is conducted by a licensed therapist, who is registered with the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) and is also a PATH Intl Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor. CTRC currently contracts Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists, and has recently started offering Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy with a Registered Psychotherapist and LPCC. Each participant works one-on-one with their therapist allowing for intensive therapy directed specifically at the participant’s individual therapy needs and goals. These sessions should be considered the same as a clinical setting, but using the horse as a modality for the therapy.

Q: Are there limitations to who can participate in Therapeutic Horsemanship or Equine Assisted Therapy?

PATH Intl. has certain contraindications and precautions that we must follow for mounted and unmounted activities.  Staff will speak one on one with you if we have concerns. It is important to note that CTRC has a weight limit of 200 lbs for mounted activities for the sake of our horses’ safety.  Mounted participants 180-200 lbs. ride based on horse availability each session.  This is to keep our equine partners happy and healthy in their work.

Q: If I want to visit CTRC do I need to make an appointment?

YES! Please do not come to the center unsolicited, as we may not have a staff member available to help you at that time. Scheduling a site visit allows us to arrange one of our staff members to be available to escort you safely around the property and answer all of your questions. We require all visitors to check in at the main office.

Q: What does it cost to participate in Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies at CTRC?

CTRC generally operates on a seasonal session basis, offering four sessions of varying length per year. We offer classes Monday – Friday with varying times between 9:00am and 6:00pm. Due to the variation in length the cost of participation also varies from session to session, but can be broken down into a flat rate of $50-60/week for length of session for Therapeutic Horsemanship services and $40/week for Equine Assisted Therapy clients. Additionally, Equine Assisted Therapy clients are responsible for paying a weekly fee on top of CTRC’s fee, directly to the therapist conducting services. Therapist fees vary by therapist and by type of services provided. CTRC requires that payment for the session be made in full prior to the first day of class.

Q: Will insurance cover CTRC’s fees?

CTRC recommends talking directly with your healthcare or insurance provider, or caseworker as to whether or not your insurance or funding offers reimbursement. Generally, insurance and CCBs such as IMAGINE! or Envision will not cover the fee for Therapeutic Horsemanship because it is not a true medical therapy, although new programs are being implemented at this time. Equine Assisted Therapy (Hippotherapy) may sometimes be reimbursed as a percentage since treatment codes used for Equine Assisted Therapy are PT, or OT. Flexible Spending Accounts, which are often offered through employers, will typically pay for Therapeutic Horsemanship and Equine Assisted Therapy.

*Please note that CTRC will not bill to insurance companies directly; we will happily supply any paperwork you need to file a claim upon your request.

Q: What other opportunities are there for family/caregivers and community members at CTRC?

We are always in need of people to join our volunteer teams, and have a variety of volunteer jobs for ages 16 and up. Some of these opportunities include horse leading or side walking in classes, to mucking stalls and helping to keep our facility up and running! There is never a shortage of chores on a working farm. If you are interested in volunteering please contact volunteer@ctrcinc.org

CTRC also offers able-bodied riding lessons in our ‘Classics’ Program to current rider parents/caregivers and volunteers.  This is a wonderful opportunity for our community members to learn alongside our participants, and experience the benefits that horsemanship and riding can have in everyone’s lives!