Therapeutic Riding At Centenary - TRAC

15/03/2026

A great share by Patricia Gallagher Rocheny, an alum of our department and therapeutic riding instructor training program!

According to a study by Sara Kwon and colleagues published in the journal Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine (2019), therapeutic horseback riding (THR) may help improve language and cognitive abilities in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID). In this study, children aged 6–13 participated in an 8-week program where the therapy group received conventional therapy along with 30 minutes of therapeutic horseback riding once per week. Researchers measured changes in language using standardized tests such as the Receptive and Expressive Vocabulary Test (REVT) and the Preschool Receptive-Expressive Language Scale (PRES), and assessed cognition using the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) and the Bayley Scales of Infant Development.

The findings showed that children who participated in therapeutic horseback riding experienced significant improvements in receptive language, expressive language, vocabulary skills, and cognitive functioning after the 8-week intervention. Although both the therapy and control groups showed some improvement, the horseback riding group improved in more areas. Researchers concluded that therapeutic horseback riding may be a promising complementary therapy to support communication, learning, and cognitive development in children with ASD and intellectual disabilities.

PMCID: PMC6637059 PMID: 31311249

13/03/2026

Some SWEET moments from a sweet week!

REMINDER: No regular TRAC lessons today March 13 or next week due to CU’s spring break! Regular program resumes the week of March 20!

We look forward to welcoming faculty and attendees for the PATH Intl Advanced Instructor workshop (3/18-3/21) and to seeing volunteers and participants who are helping out!

11/03/2026

TRAC’s Instructors-in-Training want to extend a giant THANK YOU to the fabulous Paula Merrill from Horseman’s Outlet! A CU alum and professional saddle fitter, Paula encouraged us to get hands on with both English and Western tack. We learned A LOT that will help us ensure our program horses’ comfort and our participants’s success! Thank you, Paula!
Horsemen's Outlet
Centenary University Alumni Association

11/03/2026

Blue skies and outside without blankets? Yes, please! Soak up the sun, Everyone!

11/03/2026

Informational Zoom with Director of TRAC, Karen Brittle! Don’t miss it!

Do you dream of a career that engages horses therapeutically with the goal of helping people with physical, mental, or emotional challenges? If so, please join us for this informative session, which will discuss credentialing options for this segment of the equine industry and how course and degree offerings through Centenary University’s Equine Studies Department can lead to certifications and credentials.

We will discuss the Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI) certification preparation courses and provide information about the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl), which issues this certification.

In addition, we will discuss career planning for this segment of the equine industry: what are the employment opportunities frequently available and how can both traditional and returning students or course auditors prepare for a career in therapeutic horsemanship (also called equine-assisted services).

Bring your questions as there will be a Q&A at the end, with Karen Brittle and student representatives.

Join us on Zoom! https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87483364218

07/03/2026

Wow, Team TRAC! You all outdid yourself with filming for the Margo O’Callaghan Virtual Dressage Show hosted by Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center! Great riding by Lucian (Aspen) and Diana (Vegas) and fantastic coaching by instructor-in-training, Kayla! The horses could not have been better (or cuter!) thanks to many volunteer hands getting them ready today! Thanks to Mike, Zach, and Jordan for filming! Can’t wait to see Billy and Krystal go next week (both with Harriet!)!

06/03/2026

The dressage arena is set and preparations are underway. Filming today for Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center’s Margo O’Callahan Virtual Dressage show!

05/03/2026

A great “throwback” share from our friends at Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center! We’re thrilled that TRAC participants Riding with Lucian 2, Diana, Billy, and Krystal will be participating in the upcoming virtual dressage show, named after Para-athlete Margo O’Callaghan!

Evening Magazine featured beloved Little Bit community member Margo O'Callaghan in 2004. While Margo is no longer with us, her spirit lives on though our rid...

28/02/2026

We know you loved this last year! It’s happening again!

SAVE THE DATE!

The Mane Event is back on September 12th, 2026. Join us for a day of family-friendly fun to support the Centenary University Equine Program. We can’t wait to “CU” there!

27/02/2026

We are so excited to have Yonina as one of TRAC’s Academic Interns this semester! Since transferring to CU, Yonina has impressed everyone with her dedication and interest in equine-assisted services! As our “Tack and Equipment” Intern, Yonina is taking on projects to help organize TRAC’s equipment and supplies, as well as helping out directly in program of course! Thank you, Yonina, for all your hard work!

27/02/2026

We are beyond thrilled to congratulate Bianca Grossi on becoming a PATH Intl. Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (CTRI)! As Bianca worked towards this achievement, she has taught or volunteered with every single participant, mentored dozens of volunteers, and ridden or worked with every TRAC horse. She has walked so many miles in the TRAC arena that she could have made it to CA and back! A role model for her peers, Bianca is focused, consistently kind, and ready to jump in and help wherever needed. We had so much fun celebrating you tonight, Bianca, and are so proud of you!

A special thank you for support provided by PATH International's Bob and Toni Mallet Access Grant, which supported Bianca's summer 2025 internship and helped her achieve certification! We know she will go on to serve the EAS industry well!