C.A.R.T. (Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy) is a non-profit organization devoted to bringing therapeutic recreational horseback riding to children and adults with disabilities in the Charlottesville Area.

Therapy disguised as fun.
Mounted on horseback, a person with a disability can actually feel what their muscles should be doing if they were walking soundly on two legs. The horse's walk and trot match the human stride, communicating that motion to the rider's own uncertain muscles, nerves and brain.

WHY Horses?
Horses help physically because riding transmits the same motion to the hips that we use when walking, stimulating the same nerves and muscles. Horses also help emotionally because the riding experience is an enormous confidence booster. It may be the first and only opportunity for some children to reach out and touch someone.

WHO benefits from CART?
Children and adults with a range of special needs, including autism, mentally challenged, cerebral palsy, ADHD, stroke, muscular, neural and physical disorders, have been shown to benefit from riding therapy.

HOW does CART work?
Riding is conducted under the supervision of a certified PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) Instructor. From one to three volunteers are needed for each rider, depending on the ability of the rider. There are four to five riders in each class, which lasts about one hour. CART accepts riders from age 4 and up.