I CAN-T.E.R. programs help kids grow more than just equestrian knowledge

It’s “less intimidating” working with miniature horses than larger animals.

That’s according to Karen van der Zalm, executive director of I CAN-T.E.R., a therapeutic equestrian association that has been galloping from its House Road location near the Fort Erie border for 31 years.

The facility offers six weeks of summer day camps, and on Saturday its Mini Horse Club was taking place as a handful of kids could be found grooming miniature horse in a small barn on the site.

The day also involved leading activities at the arena barn.

“They can progress nicely to handling the larger horses,” van der Zalm said, adding that many kids have started programs around 10 years old and have advanced significantly in the skills and responsibilities that come in the horse-riding world.

Starting early with programs such as the Mini Horse Club really help “set the foundation,” she said.

Grooming is a way for participants to become more acquainted with the animals.

“It really is a different means of communication,” she told Fort Erie Radio.

Sylvia Weyers was grooming ‘Petey’, a miniature horse, on Saturday.

“I like making sure they’re healthy and that they stay clean,” she said.

I CAN-T.E.R., which stands for I Can Therapeutic Equestrian Riding Association, operates on about 80 acres of property and serves about 300 kids each year.

They partner with local school boards, Community Living, Family and Children’s Services, and other agencies, explained van der Zalm, who has been on staff since the beginning but took over for founder Diane Paonessa as executive director in 2015.

Fifty per cent of the participants have special needs, she also noted.

But what is offered is more than just horse riding. There is a provincially significant creek and wetlands and organic garden plots on the property that are an important component of programming.

Students learn about and work on projects related to environmental sustainability, while also operating a stand selling what is grown, and making donations to local food banks.

“Our themes are very farm based,” she said.

The Mini Horse Club also runs in partnership with Lynne Cree and her organization Taking Strides.

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