From Stables to the Green: TEAD Marks 45 Years with Charity Golf Event for Healing

By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Burlington Local-News.ca

In the quiet countryside of Mount Hope, just outside Hamilton, a transformative kind of healing happens every day at the TEAD Therapeutic Riding Centre. For 45 years, TEAD has been a sanctuary where humans and horses come together to foster mobility, independence, and emotional well-being for individuals with diverse needs. What began in 1978 with two borrowed horses and a dream has become a sprawling 92-acre facility, powered by a team of dedicated staff, volunteers, and horses. To celebrate the milestone and raise funds for their mission, TEAD is hosting a day-long event on June 4, 2025, complete with golf, dinner, and awards.

“TEAD is a pillar of care in our community,” said Executive Director Melissa Horvath. “Our programs go beyond traditional therapy. When children come for speech therapy, they don’t feel like they’re in a clinic — they feel like they’re spending time with horses on a farm. It makes a huge difference.” Horvath, who brings a background in social work and equestrian experience to her role, oversees the centre’s day-to-day operations and its ever-expanding therapeutic programs.

TEAD offers year-round therapeutic riding, equine-assisted learning, and wellness programs tailored to each participant’s unique needs. The benefits are wide-ranging: improved mobility, balance, confidence, and even speech breakthroughs for nonverbal children.

One of the horses at TEAD.

“We’ve seen so many firsts here,” said Horvath. “Kids who are nonverbal, saying their first words, often commands like ‘walk on’ or the names of the horses. It’s really magical.”

The horses themselves are at the heart of the work. There are currently 19 horses on the property, 15 of which are active in TEAD’s programming. Each one is carefully chosen for temperament, movement, and suitability for therapeutic use. Some are owned by TEAD, while others are part of a “free lease” model where private owners loan their horses to the centre.

“That’s our ideal situation,” explained Horvath. “As a charity, free leasing allows us to provide care and use the horses in our programs without having to buy them outright.” TEAD’s horses, like Bentley — their youngest and biggest — or Major, who is reserved for the most independent riders, receive attentive care, including daily grooming and veterinary support.

These horses live outdoors year-round, only coming in during lessons or in severe weather. “Being outside 24/7 is best for them,” Horvath shared. “It keeps them moving, especially since many of our horses are older. Movement is key to maintaining their mobility and health.”

To support the complexity and diversity of their programs, TEAD requires substantial volunteer support — 116 volunteer shifts are filled each week, with nearly 200 active volunteers, some of whom have been with the centre for over two decades. All therapeutic participants must be medically cleared by their doctor and reviewed by TEAD’s on-site occupational therapist. The centre recently expanded its health services to include speech and language therapy, with an on-site speech-language pathologist now offering sessions that integrate horse interaction.

For those inspired to support TEAD’s mission, the organization is inviting the public to take part in their upcoming major fundraiser: the 2025 Charity Golf Tournament and Dinner. The event will include a dinner, the presentation of the Force For Good Award, and appearances from community leaders and changemakers. This year’s Force For Good Award, presented by Ernest For Good, will be awarded to Jen Schuringa, a well-known advocate whose own story of perseverance can be found on her website.

“This partnership means a lot to us,” said Sarah Ernest of Ernest For Good. “It’s not just about the fundraising — it’s about lifting up voices and organizations doing meaningful, life-changing work. TEAD is exactly that.”

The fundraiser will feature a keynote address by Ernie Schramayr, a certified personal trainer and life coach recognized for his dedication to holistic wellness and personal growth. In 2013, he launched Ernie Schramayr Fitness, offering personalized one-on-one fitness services to a diverse clientele. As a medical exercise specialist, Schramayr helps individuals manage medical conditions through exercise, with a unique talent for simplifying complex issues and offering practical, effective solutions. He is widely known for his boundless energy, creativity, and unwavering positivity in helping clients achieve lasting results.

One of TEAD’s horses getting groomed.

With a fundraising goal of $10,000, TEAD is calling on the community to contribute by buying tickets, registering a foursome for the golf tournament, sponsoring the event, or simply making a donation. Sponsors to date include Starward Homes, ACS Valves, Inter County Concrete Products Ltd, PT Construction Group Inc, Thomsen-Jung Farms Ltd., Ernest For Good Inc., and Kalkaden Productions.

As TEAD celebrates its 45th year of operation, the farm remains a place where healing is tangible, progress is personal, and every hoofbeat carries the rhythm of hope. To register for the event or to donate, visit this link or support the fundraiser directly here.