Therapeutic riding
has long been considered a viable way to help disabled children and adults develop both physically and emotionally. However, it is unethical to place a disabled rider on just any horse, and therapeutic horses must be chosen for their docility, willingness to follow orders and training capability.
Instructions
1. Consider buying a horse that has already participated in therapeutic riding. Large organizations like SIRE (see Resources below) often sell their horses at a discounted rate to new owners who wish to continue their purpose. This ensures that the horse is already trained.
2. Look for horses with quiet, gentle dispositions. A horse used for therapeutic riding must not respond with anger or frustration to his rider, and must be capable of enduring long periods of low activity. An animal that prefers lots of movement and high speeds would not be a good choice.
3. Ensure the horse isn't prone to biting, kicking, bucking, rearing or crow-hopping. In addition to a gentle disposition, horses used for therapeutic riding shouldn't retaliate with negative behavior. Even if their riders are kicking them in the sides or waving the arms in the air, they should maintain a steady pace.
4. Consider certain breeds of horse. For example, quarter horses and appaloosas are often used for therapeutic riding because they are generally docile breeds. Ponies are sometimes not good choices because they can have bad attitudes, though draft horses frequently make excellent therapy horses.
5. Choose an intelligent horse. Therapeutic riding requires that the horse be easily trained, and a dull-witted animal may not be capable of absorbing sufficient information. Intelligence is not easily quantified, however, so you'll have to make your best guess upon meeting the horse.
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