HOW A HORSE BECOMES A THERAPY HORSE

Not every horse can become a therapy horse. Too many times a horse owner contacts a therapy center and offers their 'old' horse to the program. And too many times, the horse has to be turned away because they did not pass the evaluation.

Therapy horses, whether they are for therapeutic riding or working with clients on the ground, need to fit specific requirements. Yes, the older horse does seem to typify the horses used for equine therapy but it's not their age that qualifies them ... it's that the horse has probably come to the end of their career.

Maybe the owner no longer wants to work as hard with their horse or the horse just doesn't have the same kind of stamina but they want their precious friend to still be useful but in a new career that isn't as demanding.

Sometimes, the equine therapy candidate IS a younger horse, but they meet the criteria of the equine therapy center, so are accepted into the program.

Any candidate, whatever age, must posses many skills. These will include but are not limited to .... A good personality; Willingness to learn; A great temperament; Used to being handled; and Does not get agitated easily.

If you know of a well behaved horse who is free of bad habits and is gentle and kind ... you may be looking at a future therapy horse!

IS IT SPRING YET?

Well, the Rainbow Meadows Annual Fundraiser was a great success. You know that the money raised will go directly to saving even more horses who have been neglected. Don't forget to follow their website to see if there is a horse you would like to give a 'forever home' to.



http://www.rainbowmeadowsranch.com/Rescue.htm



Well ... IS IT SPRING YET? It's starting to warm up and today (in Kansas) we have a really nice rain. Coming down in buckets and our dry ground is just soaking it up ... makes me want to go get a drink myself!!!



We are always so glad at the Therapeutic Riding Center when the weather starts to level out and we know we will be able to work with our clients on a regular basis. When it's so cold the lessons are cancelled I have to wonder who misses who most ....? Do the horses miss the interaction? Do we miss our wonderful clients? Do the clients miss us? I'm guessing it's a combination of all. The work we do with our clients is SO important!!!



If you are not currently involved with a local organization that offers therapeutic riding and/or equine therapy (like http://www.eagala.org/) ... please do some research and find out if there is a place near you where you can volunteer. It's the most rewarding use of time you'll ever make. Our client's age range is from small child to adult ... but I have to tell you, when you help a young child onto that horse and even if they cannot speak, their face lights up and they squeal with delight ... your heart just fills with complete joy!!!



If you are not a horse person ... don't let that stop you! We have so many opportunities in our communities to give. And there's no explanation for it but when you give ... you get back so much more!!!



Have a Blessed week.