Horseback Riding Therapy for the Mentally Challenged

Therapy using horses for the physically handicapped has been established and used now for the past 30+ years. There is documented evidence of the benefits for those with disabilities utilizing the horse as a partner in physical therapy. What about the benefits for those people who have a psychological problem? Can working with a horse be beneficial? There is evidence to support the facts that animals in general will help those people with mental needs. The horse takes the matter just one step further with the aid of the proper people in charge of the therapy program. If you have been suggested by a doctor or other mental health practitioner to enlist the aid of a horse therapy group there are some things you ought to know before just jumping in. I am going to list what you should look for in a reputable horse based therapy program. The list applies to horse therapy organizations offering help to the physically handicapped as well as those who are mentally challenged.

1. The program should have on their board of directors at least one licensed therapist.

2. A licensed therapist should be in charge of all of the patients' therapy schedules and workouts.

3. The program should have certified riding instructors.

4. The program MUST carry insurance.

5. The horses must be well cared for.

6. The horses must not show any type of disobedience at any time.

7. It is preferred that the organization be listed with the NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association)

The list could go on but I am now going to list what you should look out for when you go for your first visit. If you see any of the following take place run to the next organization on your list and do not look back.

1. Ask for a detailed list of what a typical "session" consists of. If they fail to provide one in writing then they are not organized enough to get involved with. They probably just do what you would expect at a normal horseback riding lesson place for non-handicapped people and hope for the best.

2. Ask about 1st aid training and who is qualified to administer 1st aid should is become necessary. If your child is prone to seizures there should be someone there that can handle the situation. Ask to see their 1st aid card, if they can't provide one, leave.

3. If you are not familiar with horses, I advise that you take someone along that is comfortable around horses and knows when a horse is "acting" up or is perfect for the therapy work. Ask them to asses the horses for you. The horse is a major factor in the therapy and should have been screened for the job at hand. Using the wrong horse for therapy work could make a person worse either physically or mentally. There is a certain personality that a horse must possess for therapy work and not all horses have it.

4. Find out where the horses are from. Stay away from a horse "rescue" trying to double as a therapy organization. More than likely they are just trying to find a way to fund having horses.

5. Ask to see their 501 IRS tax statement or business license. This is to weed out groups that have formed with the idea to make a few bucks by "catering" to the handicapped. They usually mean well but are not qualified to help those in therapy.

The statements I have listed above come from the experiences I have had with 2 organizations that had handicapped riding programs. One was founded by a doctor and they had me as a contact to locate possible retirement homes for their older lesson horses. The organization was well run and very reputable. The other organization was formed by a woman that had about 5 riding lessons and 2 foster kids. She had the bright idea that if she started a handicapped riding place she could fund having horses for the kids. I became involved with them as a certified riding instructor. They couldn't afford to buy horses so they had donations of them. The woman did not pre-screen the horses before accepting them so she ended up with horses that were not appropriate for the program. One was a flighty Thoroughbred that had seen his better days as a police horse that was dumped from the force because he was not mentally stable. He had been out to pasture for several years before being donated. The woman tried to handle him but she was not a horse trainer and only had a few teenagers around to help with the horse's training. I told her that he would not work out for the program. She insisted he stay and against my advice wanted to open the program in less than 4 weeks after getting 3 horses. I told her that the horses were not ready for that type of work and asked when the therapist would be joining the group. When she told me there was no therapist nor would there be anyone like that joining in the near future I told her to find someone else to take my place. I could not in good conscious be a part of a program that I thought would be taking people's money (yes those types of programs do charge you) in return for just brushing out and sitting on a horse with someone holding on to them. That is not therapy, that is just a ride on a horse.

If you thoroughly check out the handicapped program before you join you should benefit greatly from the experience. Just keep in mind there are very good programs out there as well as the very bad ones.