Equus Terra is a Therapeutic Horse riding facility currently located on private land in Yeronga, along Brisbane Corso. The centre specialises in teaching kids and adults with various neurological disorders, like autism, ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression and other special needs client (Cerebral Palsy, Hyper-mobility disorders, etc) how to ride horses.
Therapeutic Horse Riding in Brisbane
Equus Terra’s one-on-one sessions can help provide significant improvement with:
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Sensory integration and skills
- Posture, balance and mobility
- Gross and fine motor skills
- Communication and social skills
Registered NDIS provider
After two years in operation as a specialised facility, Equus Terra is a registered NDIS provider, and a registered provider of Ready, Set, Trot program run by Equestrian Australia and supported by Australian Sports Commission. They are also a registered centre for the Special Olympics (four of their athletes participated in the SO State Championships, winning 4 gold, 4 silver and 4 bronze medals, now awaiting on the Queensland team selection for National Championships to be followed by Special Olympics World Games). Equus Terra has been featured a few times in the local City South News newspaper and also, on ABC News – http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-26/animals-changing-the-lives-of-children-with-disabilities/7540158.
Partnerships with educational facilities
At this stage, Equus Terra has had nearly 100 riders who have participated in their program, with weekly attendance of 40-50 students. The centre also partners with Mansfield State High School and Barrett Adolescent Centre: their students participate in a therapeutic riding program, and the centre also works with QUT Faculty of Learning, providing a place for volunteers to do their community pre-service training, learning about autism and anxiety.
Equus Terra is a winner of the National Award for Best Activity/Class for Children with Additional Needs, run by What’s On 4 Kids.