My horse is being evaluated for a therapeutic riding program. What should I expect?

Question

My horse is a 25 year old Arabian mare. Has no health problems and has been used primarily as a trail horse. She neck reins, direct reins, responds to leg cues, etc etc. I only ride her about 3 times a week now, approximately 45 minutes to an hour each time.

I was just wondering what they will be looking for when they go to ride her and what not. Is there anything that would make it to where she would not qualify?

Answer 1

They'll make sure she's happy being groomed, tacked up, hooves done, all parts of her touched, so they know she won't react badly to the people who get her ready for the rides. Then they'll make sure she's okay being tacked up, not only with a saddle and bridle but also with therapeutic blankets, surcingles, bareback pads and neck straps. They'll then take her into an arena and a leader will walk her around, see that she responds to voice and lead rope aids from the leader, will trot nicely on command, and will halt well too. The horse will then be walked through hoops, over poles, have balls thrown around them, have things stuck on her ears, tails etc, just to see how she reacts to things that will be used in a ride. Then side walkers will stand on either side and will walk along with horse and leader and make sure she's okay with lots of people around her. Then a rider will get on (just another person from the program) and they'll sit there, and go around the arena, first sitting passively, with various holds from the sidewalkers, then they will begin to give their own voice and body aids so the hose begins to respond to them too. The sidewalkers then may leave, and the leader go on a long lead (standing next to the rider, holding the rope), so the rider is in control, but the leader is there in case. Then the rope will come off, and the leader will stay, and see how the horse goes for the rider whilst there is still a person next to the horse.

The horse will also have to be able to walk up to a mounting ramp, and not react badly to wheelchairs, crutches, noisy riders, or being touched anywhere. They'll also have to stay still whilst the rider is mounting and dismounting.

Also, your horse will have to not react to a rider who may be kicking with their legs a lot, or screaming, or pulling on the reins when not told to. They'll also have to be happy with a rider laying over the horse, facing backwards, and all sorts of different positions.

Pretty much, they'll be looking for a horse who is well-mannered, does not freak out at balls or other objects used, will respond to a rider and a leader (often simultaneously), and is sturdy and won't react badly to wind or anything (horses, cars, objects) outside the arena. A horse also has to be able to work with all people, not just a few. They have to be able to be groomed, tacked up and lead by many people, as although most horses and leaders are the same when possible, things happen and horses will have to work just as well with someone else.

She wouldn't qualify if she freaked out, to the point of a rider falling off, and it was such a big freak out she'd never learn to deal with it. She also wouldn't qualify if she was a big hassle to deal with in regards to grooming and tacking up. Mostly though, bad reactions can be dealt with, and horses who freak out with things can learn to trust them, especially if being trained by people who train horses for this work all the time, and keep them trained.

What a great thing you are doing. Riders benefit so much from these riding programs and, believe me, they are always short of horses and volunteers. Good luck to you and your horse. By the sounds of it, she's perfect for it, but you'll find out soon.

Answer 2

She must have a very mild disposition and not be high strung at all.

Tell will test her ground manners and ablity to take direction from the ground and from her back. They will also see how she might handle an upset child and 3 people walking with her (2 side walkers and a leader)

They will also make sure that she is completely bomb proof: doesn't spook, you could practically ride her hanging from her belly, ect.

The will also watch how she moves. How her leg movements affect her back muscles, they will also see if she has a choppy short stride or a smoother long stride. From that they can determin how a persons own muscles will be worked when ridding her, etc...

There is alot more that they will do. It would probably be best to contact the persons who will preform the exam to ask them what all is to be expected.

Good luck and I hope she is accepted.

Answer 3

honestly it really depends on how hes riding runs and all that kinda stuff

Answer 4

As long as your horse is calm and can put up with children hanging on her and wheelchairs or walkers, she should be gladly welcomed into a therapeutic riding program. Nothing can bother those horses. They have to take everything in stride. They will probably put her through different tests that will expose her to things that might spook most horses, to make sure she will be safe for the children she will be carrying.

Answer 5

If your horse doesn't have much patience with people i wouldn't put her up to the program because she might get frustserated with little kids doing things the wrong way or not what shes used to and it could make her mad. so be careful with that.

Answer 6

She needs to be able to walk up to a mounting block with a child in a wheel chair waiting, and tolerate being mounted on either side and stand indefinitely until the therapy session begins.   No kicking, no matter what.   She need to lead well and quietly and tolerate riders that can be flopping legs, arms, etc without spooking.  If she has a very quiet and tolerant nature, the rest they can deal with.  Actually, a shorter horse works better than a taller one.  Even some unsoundness can be tolerated if the horse doesn't hurt at a walk or a slow trot.