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Lending a helping hoof, or four

Strong value in matching people and horses for therapeutic reasons
28017castlegarEquine-Therapy
Therapy horses Khadeez and Dominowith program coordinator Jessica Smith.

Betsy Kline

Castlegar News

 

After hosting successful equine empowerment camps this summer, the Arrow Lakes Therapeutic Riding Association (ALTRA) is trying to do some fundraising in order to provide further camps and lessons. ALTRA is hosting an online auction at www.32auctions.com/altra.

The therapeutic riding program hopes to keep the cost of riding lessons as low as possible. The money raised will go to pay for the purchase and upkeep of their therapy horses Domino and Khadeez.

Items for the auction have been provided by local artisans and businesses including Oso Negro, Castlegar Golf Course, Lion’s Head Pub, Crumbs Bakery, Endless Adventures and Harmonic Arts Botanical Dispensary.

The fall session of lessons is currently underway and full. ALTRA will offer another session of lessons in the spring. They are always looking for volunteers and donations to subsidize the costs. Program coordinator Jessica Smith explained, “The lessons and camps are all therapeutic; we meet the individual riders where they are at. Whether it is physical, emotion or mental differences that they have.”

Domino and Khadeez were at the Pass Creek Fall Fair last weekend to greet the community and raise awareness about the therapeutic riding program. The auction lasts until October First and payments or donations can be made through PayPal or credit card.