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One last comment on Therapeutic Riding Programs and then I'll be quiet.
As in any and all certified businesses - just because a program is NARHA
certified does not necessarily mean it is better than a program which is not.
There are many wonderful programs out there which are not NARHA certified just
as there are NARHA certified programs which are not well run.
I am very impressed with everything NARHA has done for TR over the 30
plus years and I have been attending their conferences and seminars since the
80's and learned a lot.
My advice is check the program out in person and preferably unannounced -
when appropriate talk to the riders, the volunteers, the Instuctors and the
coordinator. Also volunteer yourself, see what happens during lessons.
Check horse care look at their feet, stalls, coats etc. , turn out areas
and amount of time for turn out, records that are or aren't kept. Our guys are
out 24/7 unless the weather is bad.
Fit of riders to saddles - saddles to horses - bridles or halters with
reins - is there a checklist to keep track of how many times a mount is used
each day and is it a walk lesson or a wtc lesson - there is a limit on how many
of each are allowed each day. Is each horse given at least one day off each
week (old guys may need more). This checklist also allows Instructors to know
"who" has been used that day and for what. With multiple Instructors this is
important.
Some of our mounts are listed as 100 lbs or less or walk only or
whatever their particular needs are. Heavy riders may ride on a thick pad with
a
surcingle that has handles - this distributes their weight better. All riders
mount from the mounting ramp or using the lift so there is no drag on the
horse's back. Even our "able bodied" riders mount from the ramp to reduce
twisting
the horses back.
Most of our riders ride using a halter and reins - this eliminates any
accidental pulling on the horse's mouth. Some stay with this arrangement
forever
- others work up to the bridle. Leads for volunteers are "Y" shaped when
attached to the bridle - many times the halter is under the bridle and used to
lead from.
We have an open door policy at Freedom Hills as a 501(c)3 our records
must be available to the public.
I'm sorry this got so long but it was important to me that everyone
realize for most TR programs our Horse Therapist are worth their weight in
gold. We
could not provide riding therapy without them and we know it. A good Horse
Therapist is a happy, healthy, well treated partner.
I hope I didn't come off as a know it all because I most certainly don't
and never will but I have learned a lot since that first time at 3 when my Dad
plunked me on my pony and told me to ride or fall off. Yep, fell off and
occassionally still do but also still horse bound!!
Blessings, Robyn in MD
