The Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society

08/10/2026

🍎 🐎🍎

Summer is ending
and autumn is near,
Apples are ripening, but
we have limited storage here.

When wasps get hungry they
swarm the bruised boxes,
And with allergies of staff
We need to be cautious.

Please send us a message,
Or give us a call
Before dropping off
your apples this fall!

🍂🍁🍂

07/20/2026

This weekend we hosted another Hoof Geeks barefoot trimming clinic 🐎

Our barn is heading into our 5th year having all our horses barefoot.
This works for our program because

-We have forgiving footing on the property, and velcro hoof boots when our horses need extra protection

-Significantly more affordable

-Even though we still use a (wonderful) professional hoof care provider, we have the skills to maintain their feet in-between visits, whether its just a touch up or working together to correct a pathology

-We are grateful simply to always feel prepared (even if our backs aren't😅)!

Thank you to Francine and Christine at
Hoof Geeks Barefoot Hoofcare for sharing your wealth of knowledge🐎

06/28/2026

What a whirlwind of a weekend!

CVTRS was proud to host a CanTRA exam for 4 wonderful (NEWLY CERTIFIED) candidates.

CanTRA is the Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association, and is the governing body of therapeutic riding we operate under.

There are 4 levels of instructor certification ranging from Basic Instructor able to teach 1:1, up through Senior Instructor.
Candidates have to complete prerequisites, many hours of specialized mentoring, studying, written and oral tests...then to top it all off have to demonstrate their teaching in front of 2 examiners over the course of a 2-day exam, often at a center they are not familiar with.
The training is in depth and the standards are high!

We are so happy to congratulate and welcome Michelle from Valley Therapeutic Riding Association, and Rachel, Alia and Morgan from the Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association officially to the CanTRA family.

A huge thank you to our examiners Lisa Pink from Cowichan, and our very own Teg Harper for being so kind and supportive throughout the process, as well as our incredible riders, volunteers and horses 💖

06/18/2026

We are so lucky to partner with Comox Valley Community Foundation❤️
They have been supported CVTRS for many years, ensuring Therapeutic Riding stays accessible for all bodies!

📣 Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society is helping riders build confidence, connection, and independence.

For 40 years, CVTRS has provided therapeutic horseback riding for children and adults with physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. Beyond therapy, the program creates opportunities for friendship, outdoor connection, emotional regulation, and personal growth.

“When we improve life for all of our community members,” said executive director Hilary Doucette, “we build a healthier, more thriving community for everyone.”

💜 Comox Valley Therapeutic Riding Society was one of 45 local organizations to receive funding through over $1 million in grants this year — thanks to the many people who choose to give locally through the Comox Valley Community Foundation.

CVTRS’ story is one of many featured in this year’s Impact Report, now online https://buff.ly/ZgyysLO

📘 Browse the Impact Report: https://buff.ly/xZIAUBz

🙏 With gratitude to our sponsors, led by Coastwood Private Wealth, the Comox Valley Record and Coastal Community Credit Union.

05/22/2026

🐝Well that’s something new for us around here!
🐝Our barn staffer Sarah noticed some new tenants in one of the horse’s paddocks this afternoon!
🐝As cute as they were, they needed to be evicted ASAP, before human, horse or bee got injured.
🐝A quick post to the VI Bee Keepers Society and Shauna and her team came to save the day!
🐝Thank you for helping CVTRS and the Bees!

05/18/2026

Today 5 of the horses from our CVTRS herd participated in the Cadora test day.
This was a chance for our exercise riders to get feedback from a dressage judge without the pressure of being in a show.
This is one of the many ways we keep our horses working well, fit, healthy and happy to work in our program.

Bailey - Danielle Marie
Peaches - Sharon Friesen
Maverick- Heather Lantz
Friday- Hilary Doucette
Hope- Ashleigh Whitney

As always, we are so proud of our humans and horses, and the excellent test scores didn't hurt either🤭

Thank you to Courtenay CADORA Dressage Club for hosting today, and the volunteers who made it possible!

Our hands were too full to get photos of all 5, but we did get a few.

04/15/2026

Today is bittersweet here at CVTRS as we announce the retirement and say farewell to our senior instructor Tegwyn Harper.
Teg will be moving back home to England over the coming months to be closer to family, especially her granddaughter.
Teg has been a pillar of CVTRS since she first moved to Canada in 2007. We are so grateful for her dedication to the society for the last 😱 nearly 20 years 😱. We will miss her knowledge, skill and support, but most of all her compassion and infectious energy.
Before the packing starts she is heading on a trip to Portugal next week to immerse herself in the working equitation world and further her education.

Yes, her horses WILL be taking the journey to fulfill their destiny as English horses, but the verdict is still out if they will participate in tea time.

Teg, we will miss you SO much but wish you all the best on your return home, and a happy retirement.

Happy trails 🐎