The Kiwanis Club of Elmira financially supports the Central Ontario Developmental Riding Program (CODRP) / Pride Stables, which offers therapeutic horseback riding to people with disabilities.

The benefits of horseback riding are multidimensional. The lessons are based on sequencing, which enables each rider to learn at their own pace. Participating in weekly lessons also builds special friendships between the rider, their horse, volunteers and staff members.

Therapeutic horseback riding uses the horse as a medium of therapy. The combination of the horse’s movement, which simulates the human walking motion, and its higher body temperature, serves to supply passive heat massage to the riders’ muscles, thereby either relaxing spastic muscles or stimulating lax muscles. Riders also participate in exercises improving their muscle strength and flexibility in their upper body.

Each year the Kiwanis Club of Elmira donates funds to help maintain this program.