Programs

Equine Assisted Services

CATR's instructors offer equine assisted services (EAS) to children and adults with disabilities and wounded military veterans. Currently CATR offers EAS in a variety of programs listed below.

To learn more about CATR’s Programs, contact Anja Cain.

  • Connecting With Horses

  • Therapeutic Riding Lessons

  • Interactive Vaulting

  • Public School Program

  • Veterans Program

  • One-Time Group Experiences

  • Inclusive Summer Camp

  • English Riding Lessons

Connecting With Horses

Connecting With Horses is a program designed to focus on equestrian skills such as horse care, grooming, leading, lunging or long-lining. Sometimes called unmounted lessons, groundwork does not involve riding the horse, but rather seeks to further the student's physical, cognitive, emotional and/or social development while he or she interacts with the horses on the ground. Students who participate in this program find their lessons engaging and rewarding, often naming increased confidence and developing a special bond with the horse as key benefits. Groundwork is also great exercise! Taught by a certified therapeutic riding instructor, and assisted by trained volunteers, the lessons offered are group, semi-private, or private and are 45-minutes to 1-hour long.

Therapeutic Riding Lessons

Therapeutic Riding lessons are equestrian skill-based lessons for children and adults with disabilities. The focus of the lessons is skill development and progression while improving the rider's physical, cognitive, emotional, and/or social skills. Helping the rider reach their full potential is of paramount importance. Taught by a PATH certified therapeutic riding instructor, and assisted by volunteer aids, the lessons offered are group, semi-private or private and are 45-minutes to 1-hour long. As much as possible, the riders participate in horse care before and after the riding portion of their lesson.

Interactive Vaulting

Interactive Vaulting engages participants in movements around, on and off the moving horse, and on a static barrel. These movements can be very simple such as sitting without holding onto the surcingle or a more elaborate position such as kneeling or standing on the horse. The certified Interactive Vaulting instructor supervises a specially trained horse that works in a large circle on a lunge line at the walk, trot, and sometimes the canter. The dynamic environment offers movement and exercise, while also encouraging creativity, confidence, and positive social interaction. Students participate in games on and around the horse that promote team building, communication skills, fine and gross motor skills, motor planning, and spatial awareness.

Public School Program

CATR's Public School Program provides therapeutic riding to students from self-contained special education classrooms from public schools in Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkeley counties. Participation in our Public School Program has helped children build the strength needed to take their first steps outside of a wheelchair. Being on top of a horse has also motivated students to communicate for the first time. With first steps and first words being among the greatest accomplishments of our Public School Program, we also take immense pride in each and every smile of confidence, interactive high-five, and delighted laughter from a child with a disability.

Veterans Program

CATR's Veterans Program provides Equine Assisted Services to wounded military veterans in the Charleston area. Since starting this program in 2009, CATR has served individuals with multiple neuro-degenerative diseases, amputations, traumatic brain injury, and post-traumatic stress. Motivated by contact with the horse, veterans engage in riding, grooming, leading, and tacking. These activities encourage physical movements that stretch and strengthen muscles and promote self-confidence in an peaceful, outdoor setting. The horse's movement builds core strength, increases circulation and has a positive effect on vital organs. Participating veterans, their children, therapists and family members have all given positive feedback about the CATR experience. This is an impactful outdoor activity with many physical, cognitive, and social benefits.

One-Time Group Experiences

In order to give more people the experience of coming to the barn and interacting with our therapy horses, we have started offering Group Experiences that are open to special education classrooms and other groups of individuals with special needs. These experiences can be customized to meet the needs of the group and involve greeting, grooming and learning about the horses, exploring the pond and bird watching, and barn games. We have worked with many different groups in the surrounding areas for example: social and educational programs, Veterans and family groups, and retirement communities. We are proud to offer this opportunity and look forward to working with more groups!

Inclusive Summer Camp

CATR offers Inclusive Summer Camps for 5 - 6 weeks every summer. Participants with a wide range of abilities will get a chance to learn and play together during daily horse care activities, riding and vaulting sessions, trail rides, arts and crafts, and team-building games. CATR’s Inclusive Summer Camp will foster compassion, understanding, and respect for differences while offering learning opportunities and a safe environment where children of varying abilities can work, learn, and have fun together.

English Riding Lessons

Our qualified instructors offer English riding lessons to students ages 6 and up. Lessons are tailored to individual skills and are appropriate for both the casual and experienced equestrian. Our lesson program includes flat work, hunter jumper instruction, and basic dressage. Students also learn to groom, tack, and untack their horses. Many of our students learn in the ERL program and grow into valuable volunteers and barn staff to support our students!