SaddleSore

I used to work in a school that regularly took the severely handicapped children to ride on horses. They had special saddles that kept them upright and so on. The children absolutely loved it, and it really perked them up.

I would like to get involved in this by allowing my horse to be used. There is a scheme for this locally, and the children come to our barn.

But before I volunteer-is there any training that the horse would need before hand?

horsegurl03801

Both you and your horse will need to adjust to being assistants in therapy:
Your horse needs to be almost dead quiet. Handicapped children have many different special needs and often act differently than horses might be used to. They will often require special mounting ramps to get from a wheelchair to the horse, which means the horse might get bumped by the chair. They might have walking supports on their legs or braces on their back, etc. They might have seizures while riding during which your horse will have to stand still completely quietly. They often won't go faster than a walk/trot so if your horse likes to be feisty it will need to earn that therapy time is slow time.

You will need to be nice and physically fit. Most severely handicapped children require at least three people to help them ridene to lead the horse, one to hold the left leg and one to hold the right leg. And this means when your child trots you have to run right alongside. They don't trot for long, but having to stop early because a helper can't keep up makes you feel really guilty.

I'm sure the group that coordinates the therapy has other things specific to their group that are required. They can tell you best if you and your horse will fit their needs. And if your horse doesn't fit, you can still consider volunteering yourself. Its really rewarding work.

BornintheSaddle

It really sounds like a wonderful thing to do-if you can do it that is! I am so new to horses (even though it feels like I have always ridden) that I worry that I would not be able to keep up. I haven't heard of anything like this locally either, it's a shame.

Allan

The thought of helping these special kids is a very noble thing already. Although I have to agree that you need a special training in handling kids with this special needs. Good luck in your endeavor and hope that I could do this as well.

SaddleSore

horsegurl, thank you so much for your reply! I am physically fit, but I am not so used to riding lately. This almost seems like a way to enjoy time with my horse more without more hip pain and associated riding pains.

I am going to contact the group I think.

flatback_frannie

As a teenager I volunteered in a stable where they did theraputic riding. It really is such a beautiful thing. As for volunteering your horse, I think a lot of it depends on the personality of your horse. The horses used in therapy are calmer and more mild mannered, and generally older horses who are accustomed to children. But it is a noble cause if you can work it.

horseshoe

That's great Saddlesore. I never thought horses can be a good therapy to handicapped children. It's a fun and exciting way to do therapy I must say.

charley

The place near my house has horses that have been with them for years. They are very cautious because if you have a special needs child on a horse you need to know that the horse will stay calm.

alexis

I love the idea of animals for thearpy, I have seen it work with dogs and cats but never a horse. Do you have any sites you know that offer this, maybe I could find one in my area?

outie

I just watched a show last night and being so busy its from a couple of weeks back but the show is called Extreme Home Makers. This episode a lady and her now passed husband along with kids took their farm and made it into a theraputic nonprofit place to help others in need.

I was touched the most knowing the husband had passed away in their home, they have been doing this type of work for over 20 years and one of the people they help actually had a horse accident after years of riding and with their help is back on the horse again.