Public Riding Lessons

• Therapeutic Riding & Summer Camps: Riding equipment (helmets, boots, safety devices) are provided by LTRA for clients. Clients must wear long pants. If bringing your own footwear it must be closed-toe with a heal. If providing your own helmet, it must not be expired, well-fitting, and be approved for equine activities.

• Riding Lessons: Participants must wear long pants and closed-toe footwear with a heal. Approved helmets are provided. If providing your own helmet, it must not be expired, well-fitting, and be approved for equine activities.

The following provides an overview of LTRA's Cancellation Policy. This policy ensures that the organization can effectively manage its resources and respect the time commitments of our volunteers, coaches and contractors, while also providing a fair and transparent approach to class cancellations and refunds. For more information or to view the full policy, please click the link below.

TR CLASS ATTENDANCE - CREDITS & REFUNDS:

a) Clients/Participants are expected to attend all classes for which they have registered.

b) LTRA will not provide credits or refunds for any classes missed during a session unless it is due to an emergency or if LTRA pre-approves the absence at the beginning of the session. Refunds will be issued at the discretion of the Executive Director.

• Credit: Credits will be maintained on the client file and can be applied to any future classes or services offered by LTRA. Credits are valid for 1-year from the date of the original class and applied to future sessions.

• Refunds: Payment refunds will be processed to the original payment method or by cheque within 14-days of approval.

c). In the case of a medical emergency, clients are required to provide either:

• Medical documentation or other appropriate documentation to qualify for a refund.

• A narrative description of the event submitted via email to LTRA for review and approval by the Executive Director or appointed staff member.

RIDING LESSON ATTENDANCE - CREDITS, REFUNDS & MAKE-UP CLASSES:

Riding lessons at LTRA operate on a monthly registration basis, ensuring consistency in coaching availability and horse care. Fees secure a rider’s spot in the session and are not adjusted for absences. While we strive to accommodate unforeseen circumstances, missed lessons are not billed on a drop-in basis.

• Unplanned Absences (illness, emergency, etc.): In the case of an unplanned absence such as emergency or illness, LTRA will provide up to three make-up class options, but refunds will not be issued except in extraordinary circumstances on a case-by-case basis. Please ensure that the office is notified of the absence in advance of the planned case so that a horse is not brought in and tacked up in anticipation of your arrival. No make-up classes will be provided for absences without notice submitted prior to the class time.

• Planned Absences: Planned Absences spanning more than one lesson/one week require clients to either pay to maintain their spot or re-register the following month without a guarantee of availability. If at least one week's notice is given for a planned absence of one class or less, LTRA will attempt to offer a make-up class based on availability. Clients are responsible for full payment of their monthly invoice, regardless of attendance.

LTRA will not provide credits or refunds for any Riding Lesson classes missed during a session unless it is due to an emergency or if LTRA pre-approves the absence at the beginning of the session. Credits or refunds will be issued at the discretion of the Executive Director and provided within 14-days of the request for a credit/refund being submitted to the LTRA Office if approved. Credits will be applied against registration in future sessions.

At this time we only offer haul-in services to guests of current boarders through the purchase of an annual riding pass. Haul-in guests are required to have a current riding pass, a signed haul-in agreement & completed waiver prior to attending LTRA.

• Note: Those wishing to bring their own horse for participation as a paying customer in our Adaptive Riding Lessons are permitted to due only if the horse and rider are assessed and pre-approved by the Riding Lesson Coach.

More information on haul-in services can be found at: https://ltra.ca/horse-boarding#haul-in-services

More information on current haul-in fees can be found at: https://ltra.ca/payments-donations under the 'Payments for a Program or Service' option.

YES. All participants, clients, boarders, volunteers, and guests on LTRA property who ride, engage in horse-related activities, and/or enter the arena sand MUST complete a waiver form. Waivers can only be signed by individuals 18 years or older. For those under 18, a legal guardian must complete and submit the waiver on their behalf.

Additionally, waivers may be required for individuals participating in off-site events facilitated by LTRA, depending on the activity and circumstances.

Waivers may be submitted digitally using the following link: Waiver Form

All horses in the Therapeutic Riding, Equine Wellness Programs & Summer Camp are owned by LTRA and outside horses are not permitted. Each of our therapeutic horses receive specialized training to safely aid our clients and are kept together in a herd (so are familiar with each other both inside and outside of the arena).

The only program outside horses would be considered is our Riding Lessons and only if pre-approved by the riding lesson coach (following an assessment of both the rider and the intended horse by the coach).

To ensure the safety and integrity of the therapeutic programs and other facility users, all animals while at LTRA must be vetted through appropriate organizations to be classified as a therapeutic animal. For example:

• Horses, ponies and donkeys must complete the LTRA Intake process.

• Service dogs must comply with the Service Dogs Act and Service Dogs Qualifications Regulations of Alberta and LTRA must be provided with their Service dog ID card.

• Emotional support animals (“ESA”) provide support or comfort to someone with a physical, medical, emotional or psychological impairment or disability. LTRA must be provided with an ESA letter from a qualified mental health professional.

• All other animals must be vetted by LTRA as meeting the criteria for therapeutic services.

Animals not meeting the above criteria must not be brought to LTRA. All approved Therapeutic animals brought to LTRA must be managed appropriately when on-site and include the following:

• Horses, ponies and donkeys must have a halter and lead shank when not in a paddock or pen and must not be left unattended for extended periods of time.

• Dogs and other animals must be on a short leash and not left unattended.

Additional websites that deal with Service Dogs and Emotional Service Animals (“ESA”):

• Service Dogs in Alberta

• Emotional Support Animal Canada Laws: What You Must Know

To ensure the health and safety of all horses at the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association (LTRA), horses must be up to date on the standard ‘4-Way’ vaccine as a minimum requirement to board or attend. New horses boarding at LTRA will also be required to deworm upon arrival. Owners and attendees may be asked to provide proof of vaccination for the following diseases:

4-Way Vaccine

The 4-Way vaccine, also known as the “EEE/WEE/Tetanus/West Nile” vaccine, provides protection against the following diseases:

• Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE)

• Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (WEE)

• Tetanus

• West Nile Virus (WNV): Transmitted by mosquitoes, West Nile Virus can cause neurological symptoms in horses. Due to the prevalence of mosquitoes in certain regions of Canada during summer months, this vaccine is considered essential.

Encouraged Additional Vaccinations

While the 4-Way vaccine is the minimum requirement at LTRA, owners and attendees are encouraged to consult with their veterinarian to determine if additional vaccines are appropriate based on their horse’s individual risk factors. These may include:

5-Way Vaccine

The 5-Way vaccine, also known as the “EEE/WEE/Tetanus/West Nile/Rabies” vaccine, includes all the protection of the 4-Way vaccine with the added benefit of Rabies protection.

• Rabies: A viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is almost always fatal once clinical signs appear. Symptoms in horses can range from mild (e.g., colic or choke) to severe (e.g., seizures). Rabies is transmissible to humans, making vaccination a critical public health measure. This vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian.

Additional Optional Vaccines

• Equine Influenza and Equine Herpesvirus Vaccines: These vaccines are recommended for horses with higher exposure risks, such as those that travel frequently or attend events. These diseases can spread rapidly in horse populations, causing respiratory and systemic symptoms.

• Strangles Vaccine: Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection that affects the upper respiratory tract, causing swelling, discomfort, and potential complications. Vaccination may be necessary in environments where horses are in close contact, such as boarding facilities or show grounds.

By staying current on vaccinations, horse owners help protect their animals, other horses, and the broader community from preventable diseases.

Yes. While we are fortunate to have a heated indoor arena and horses are incredibly hardy animals, extreme cold can negatively impact their respiratory, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal health. Professional recommendations vary, but LTRA considers both horse and client well-being when determining cancellations:

1. Horse Well-Being: Safely using horses in extreme cold requires an extensive cool-out protocol, including up to 15 minutes of walking and additional drying time before returning outdoors. This significantly reduces actual riding time per lesson.

2. Client Well-Being: We want lessons to be safe, fun, and comfortable for all participants.

As a general rule, LTRA will cancel classes when the pre-windchill temperature is below -20°C and/or if road conditions become unsafe for travel.

While much more rare, in addition to extreme cold, LTRA may also cancel programming due to:

• Extreme Heat

• Poor Air Quality (smoke due to fires, etc.)

Many factors influence cancellations, so please wait for official notification from LTRA rather than assuming a class is cancelled. Clients will receive credit for any classes cancelled by LTRA due to extreme weather or road conditions.