University of Lethbridge Equestrian Therapeutic Research Project

Welcome to our research study, entitled “Measuring Health-Quality of Life and Wellbeing for Individuals of All Abilities Through Participation in Adapted Recreation”.

This is a joint project between the University of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Therapeutic Riding Association.

Research Questions:

1. Will engaging in one adapted recreation experience improve Health Quality of Life (H-QOL) and well-being for clients with physical, cognitive, and mental health issues ages 8+, volunteers and family/ caregivers ages 18+? 

2. What qualities of the overall adapted recreation sessions impacted participant experience?

How to participate: 

Your participation in this research is completely voluntary.  Your continued participation should be as informed as your initial consent/assent, so you should feel free to ask for clarification or new information throughout your participation.  You can let me know you are withdrawing, in person or via email.  If you do this, all information from you will be destroyed. 

You may permit your child to be in the study.  If you or your child change your mind, there are no consequences at all.  If you want to be in the study and then change your mind later, you can do that too.  You can stop being in my study at any time by telling me. 

How is the study being conducted?

• With informed consent, you will be asked to complete two assessments, before and after you participate, observe or volunteer in the activity.  After the activity, you will be asked to fill in a feedback survey.  You will only have to fill out this paperwork one time.

• With a signed assent form for minors, you will be asked to complete one assessment (based on your observation) before and after participation in the activity.  After the activity, you will be asked to fill in a feedback survey.  With a signed assent form, trained researchers will write fieldnotes before, during and after the activity.  You will only have to fill out this paperwork one time.

• Participants may receive the end results when the study is complete and all data has been analyzed. 

Minors or individuals not legally able to sign documents for themselves must have the assent of their parent or guardian.  This process is for parents or guardians who give permission for their minor/ individual in their care to be a part of the study.

Volunteers, riders and parents who are legally able to sign documents on behalf of themselves can participate in this research.

• Parents who physically observe their child participating meet the criteria to be in the study. We want to measure how adapted activity can impact the Health Quality of Life (H-QOL) and wellbeing of the caregiver, even if they themselves do not take part in the activity.

• Please note that parents who do NOT physically observe their child do not meet the criteria for the study.

Additional information is available through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website.