North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center

The North Carolina Therapeutic Riding Center exists to empower children and adults with physical, emotional, mental and social challenges to create active, healthier and more fulfilling lives through equine-assisted activities and therapies (EAAT). NCTRC has served thousands of children and adults since 1977, and is the oldest therapeutic riding center in North Carolina.

Additionally, the organization is the only EAAT provider in Alamance, Durham and Orange counties. The challenges these individuals face, to name a few, include autism, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down Syndrome, behavioral issues, brain injuries, and developmental delays. NCTRC is accredited as a premier center by NAHRA (formerly known as the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) which is the governing body for all participating therapeutic riding programs in the country.

The spectrum of disability we serve ranges from mild to severe, and may encompass physical, emotional, sensory, and/or cognitive impairments. The disabilities may include but are not limited to: ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and brain injuries.

Eighty-five percent of our participants are children under the age of 18, and they come from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. The direct benefits to them through their relationships with the horses are their health, physically and mentally, and the development of life skills.

Our programs fall into two categories: direct service and training and education. Our direct service programs include:

1. Hippotherapy, or physical therapy using the movement of the horse and involving a licensed physical therapist and three trained volunteers;
2. Therapeutic riding classes involving a certified riding instructor and three trained volunteers; and
3. Equine-assisted psychotherapy involving a two-member team including an equine specialist and a mental health professional and three trained volunteers.

Our training and educational program includes:

1. Orientation training and horse handler workshops for more than 400 volunteers annually, or about 100 volunteers per 16-week session;
2. Hippotherapy and certification workshops for therapists and riding instructors; and
3. Horse training workshops.

Located about 25 minutes west of Carrboro on 54 in Orange County and 5 minutes west of Mebane, NCTRC is the only therapeutic riding center in Orange, Alamance and Durham counties and serves people of all ages from these counties and part of Wake County.