At Willowbank Equestrian Centre and B&B, our therapeutic riding programs focus on the physical and mental well-being of the rider as a person, rather than on becoming a skilled horseman. Horsemanship is an extra spin-off!

Horses respond to your body language and your authentic inner self — not the outer shell you may think you ought to project. The responses from the horse help you to discover who you are now and what you might like to change.

If you are angry with your horse, the horse will know it and respond by tensing up (freezing), trying to escape physically and mentally (flight), or by defending himself with ‘bad’ behaviour (fighting) — and guess who is the strongest! Riding takes confidence, acceptance of what you and your horse are like, and keen observation — see, hear, feel more acutely!

Children’s programs center on improving physical, social and educational skills. With adults, we deal more with techniques of awareness, like sensitivity to your environment and deriving stimulation, energy and motivation from it. Equally important is sensing opposed forces within you that block remembering, dull your body sense and prevent the natural flow of emotions.

Learn how your mind and body interact. Mounted exercises will help you understand where energy and motivation come from, and what can stop you from achieving desired goals. Learn how emotions affect you and how to deal with stressors in your environment more effectively. Best of all absorb some new tools for welcoming change and becoming more like the YOU, you really are!

We welcome children, youth and adults. Since each one of us is unique, doesn’t everyone have special needs? At Willowbank YOU are special. Come enjoy the beautiful natural environment, the horses and our B&B hospitality. Have fun and feel good about yourself!