See more therapeutic riding articles in the February/March issue of Holistic Horse
The ideal therapy horse is sound, has an unflappable temperament and unlimited heart. Program horses have come from many different backgrounds including show horses, polo, police work, school horses and family pets.
Each horse donated must:
• Be unflappable (nothing bothers them)
• Have full and complete vision
• Have a solid, strong back
• Be forgiving of an inexperienced and unbalanced rider
• Be between 8 and 15 years of age
• Be completely sound in all four limbs. It is essential that our horses have a free-moving stride at the walk, trot, and canter and be capable of smooth transitions
• Be well trained under saddle to respond to all four aids: hands, legs, seat and voice
• Be comfortable around a variety of people
• Be comfortable at a tie rail
Any records or additional information, such as registration papers, health records, photos, and awards are very helpful.
Ideally, donated horses are placed in a program on a trial basis for a period that may last up to eight weeks before officially being accepted into the program.
-- Info from www.heartsandhorses.org