Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center Inc.

Why Support CTRC

Individuals with disabilities experience many physical, emotional, and cognitive hurdles, along with obstacles to inclusion and a sense of normalcy. Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center offers a secure and supportive space for individuals with disabilities to enhance their physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being, fostering a sense of belonging and equality. Your generous contribution will ensure CTRC's ability to maintain a sanctuary where equine-assisted activities promote the physical, psychological, and social welfare of our participants.

Paint the Pony is our annual campaign. CTRC's CO Gives campaign runs contiguously with and is a part of our Paint the Pony campaign. Your donations via this site do go towards our Paint the Pony campaign. As a FUNDRAISER and a FRIENDRAISER, Paint the Pony strives to raise much-needed funds, recruit new volunteers, and create a greater awareness about CTRC in our community. Each stripe we paint is a marker toward our $130,000 GOAL.

Auston's Story  When Auston first started at CTRC, he had no interest in touching a horse, let alone getting on one. By his second session, he made the decision to mount his horse and ride. Challenged by autism, sensory needs, a weak core, and balance deficiencies, Auston has learned quickly since he began. His favorite activities are riding backward to work on his balance, as well as trotting and using the Sensory Trail. Says Auston’s mother: “CTRC has truly helped to facilitate Auston’s growing appreciation of the various horses he has ridden as well as help teach him different techniques and skills tailored to his unique ways. We have been blessed to be a part of CTRC.”

Robert's Story Robert’s family moved to Colorado two years ago. Within a week of arriving, Robert began to experience major medical issues requiring multiple long hospitalizations and navigating a new health system with unfamiliar doctors. He stopped talking, laughing and enjoying life. Without a support system in place, Robert’s family started looking at equine-assisted therapy, which he’d done when he was younger with great success. He has been with CTRC about a year now and he is like a different person on his favorite horse, Saunder. He can be sleepy, grumpy, or in pain on the drive there, but the minute he gets on Saunder he returns to his exuberant, goofy, joyful self.

Robert is not the only one benefiting from this therapy. His entire family, whether it be his mom, dad, stepdad, or brothers, is delighted at what he does. They can be having the most stressful day at work or school but the minute they see a video of Robert at CTRC, their entire day changes. Says Robert’s family: “We cannot thank CTRC enough!”

Candace's Story  After a series of hip surgeries that left her struggling with balance, coordination, and strength, Candace decided to try therapeutic riding. Candace enjoys riding as part of the drill team activities and loves all the horses at CTRC for their ability to collaborate with their riders to achieve the best results for both horse and rider. Says Candace: “Because I’m a special education teacher, I knew the benefits of therapeutic riding, but I’ve learned so much! CTRC’s herd are not ‘push-button’ horses. They tolerate our mistakes but then ask us to learn the right way to give a cue. In the drill team activities, this requires me to be aware of other riders as well as my horse. We all need to be coordinated with each other – it’s a mental as well as equestrian activity. The instructors are amazing, the volunteers are kind and helpful, and my co-riders are fun and friendly. It’s been a wonderful experience!”