This message is from: "Betsy Moore" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Re: horses in therapeutic programs
We, at Rafter M Therapeutic Riding Center (southern Illinois), are still looking for a Fjord for our program. The horse should be between 8-12 yrs old, and be able to walk, trot, & canter on both leads in an arena quietly and nicely enough for a beginner. I have enjoyed the discussion about therapy horses. Many people think that therapy horses don't do much besides plod around. Some people even think that lame horses can be used in a therapeutic program. We currently have 5 quarter horses in our program, and value and cherish each one of them. We count ourselves lucky to have such wonderful animals. They are so tolerant of all we ask of them from having people walking on both sides of them, having a leader, having a rider giving cues, playing games with all kinds of props including balls, rings, clip boards, stickers being put on them to identify parts, etc. The list is as long as your imagination. Our horses also work in an able bodied riding lesson program. It helps keep them fit, and gives them something else to do and look at. They all live in a pasture so they have plenty of down time. Good, suitable horses are so hard to find that we protect and take very good care of the ones we have. Our horses are now all over 20 (20 is the youngest) so we are looking for a younger horse that will carry us through the next years of our program. If anyone knows of a Fjord that would be suitable, please let us know. Thanks! Betsy Moore
