Get Therapeutic Riding Application - Havens Horses

Disadvantages of equine assisted therapy are that it is both expensive, creating a financial burden, (Fine, 2000) and time consuming (Tyler, 1994). Others suggest the amount of care required for an animal may compete with other demands, or take away from human-human relationship time (Fine, 2000; Akrow, 1987).

Therapeutic riding is recreational horseback riding lessons adapted to individuals with disabilities. Therapeutic riding is completed by a certified therapeutic horseback riding instructor in conjunction with volunteers.

Desired traits include: soundness; three good, clear gaits at the walk, trot and canter; nice temperament; ability to tolerate attention by many people; low flight response; and a height of 14 hands to 16 hands in order to serve children and adult riders.

Criteria for Therapy Horses Demonstrate a docility level 1 or 2 on a scale of 1 – 10. Be able to stand quietly and patiently for mounting and dismounting. Be physically sound at the walk, trot and canter. Be free of conditions that may affect temperament or movement.

Physical, occupational or speech therapy in which hippo- therapy is utilized, is reimbursable by medical insurance (third party). Therapeutic riding is recreational horseback riding lessons adapted to individuals with disabilities.

Impulsion and a willingness to move forward at the walk are critical traits of a good horse for hippotherapy.

The focus of therapeutic riding is broader, and may include physical, social, learning, sensory, and psychological goals, including the relationship between the rider and the horse, and is directed by a certified therapeutic riding instructor (All and Loving 1999).

Therapy programs choose horses of any breed that they find to be calm, even-tempered, gentle, serviceably sound, and well-trained both under saddle and on the ground. As most equine-assisted therapy is done at slow speeds, an older horse that is not in its athletic prime is sometimes used.