Harness Hope: Help Us Launch Our Adaptive Cart Program!
Hello from the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association (LTRA)! We’re a registered charity & nonprofit that has been dedicated to harnessing the healing power of horses for people of all ages and abilities since 1977. Every day, we see how equine connections transform lives—building confidence, independence, and a sense of belonging.
Our upcoming Adaptive Cart Program will allow seniors and individuals with mobility or health conditions, who can’t ride a horse traditionally, to still benefit from equine-assisted activities. Imagine the thrill of learning to drive a horse-drawn cart or simply feeling the calming presence of our gentle giants—all from the safety and support of an innovative custom adaptive vehicle.
To make this dream a reality, we’ve teamed up with Alberta Carriage Supply to create a custom cart that meets diverse physical needs. We have already raised $7000.00 but we need your help to meet our goal of the $20,000.00 required for the:
Acquisition of This Highly Specialized Adaptive Cart & Equipment
(In the event that we are fortunate enough to exceed our target, supplemental funds will be allocated towards the following areas: specialized training for the cart horses, training for staff & volunteers who will be running the intended programming, & facility upgrades to further increase accessibility & safe use of the cart).
What Makes This Cart So Special?
This custom-designed vehicle is built to accommodate individuals using wheelchairs, scooters and a wide range of mobility aids. 4-wheel construction with independent suspension provides stability while also being nimble enough to operate in LTRA's indoor arena and outside. The low platform & attached ramp provides easy access onto the cart, while secure anchor points keep each chair safely in place. This allows participants to have a secure driving experience while still being able benefit from their own chairs personal support systems (such neck supports) without the need for additional adaptations. For those who don’t use mobility devices, an interchangeable bench seat can be swapped in, making this prospective cart an incredibly versatile tool for years to come. With a tested prototype (the one shown in the pictures) already reviewed by several health professionals to ensure wide applicability, we’re excited to work in their recommendation to the final design to extend our reach; making the joy of equine-assisted wellness available to even more people!
How You Can Help
With your support, we can turn this dream & protype into a reality; empowering more people to experience the joy and therapeutic benefits of working with horses. Even a small donation can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
Will you help us harness hope, one cart ride at a time?
Please DONATE or SHARE our story today!
For more information about our organization, please visit:
Let’s roll forward together toward a more inclusive future!
We would like to give a shout out to the following early supporters of this project:
• Alberta Carriage Supply: For designing and engineering this one-of-a-kind cart.
• Dennis Chinner: A devoted volunteer whose efforts have been instrumental in advancing this project.
• Len & Carol Welling | Sandy & Bernadette Lyons: For their incredibly generous donations toward the cart’s acquisition.
• RBC Community Investments: For their grant-based support towards this initiative.
• Consulting Community Experts & Health Professionals: To the various community experts & health professionals who consulted on the project & cart design; ensuring that the final product will meet the need for diverse range of participants & abilities.
