A therapy horse can be any breed. Some businesses allow horses the size of a dog to the size of the biggest draft horse as long as they are calm, friendly and well mannered. Therapy horses can have the knowledge of any discipline, but they need to have an even 4 beat walk, 2 beat trot, and 3 beat canter. The horses also need to be friendly and sound (cannot be spooked easily). Since the handicapped riders don’t have the same capabilities non-troubled riders, the horse must be okay with odd movements or sudden jerks on the reins. Their attitude must be calm, friendly and forgiving. A horse that tends to bite, pin their ears and kick probably aren’t the best choices to become a therapy horse. Horses who are injured, lame or cannot properly move will not be accepted since it is not fair to the horse and won’t be able to properly teach their riders. A therapy horse is also trained to not mind extra equipment (such as toys, balls, ropes, batons etc.) and large devices (like lifts that are used to allow a rider to safely mount). Horses that respond well to voice and leg commands are
A therapy horse can be any breed. Some businesses allow horses the size of a dog to the size of the biggest draft horse as long as they are calm, friendly and well mannered. Therapy horses can have the knowledge of any discipline, but they need to have an even 4 beat walk, 2 beat trot, and 3 beat canter. The horses also need to be friendly and sound (cannot be spooked easily). Since the handicapped riders don’t have the same capabilities non-troubled riders, the horse must be okay with odd movements or sudden jerks on the reins. Their attitude must be calm, friendly and forgiving. A horse that tends to bite, pin their ears and kick probably aren’t the best choices to become a therapy horse. Horses who are injured, lame or cannot properly move will not be accepted since it is not fair to the horse and won’t be able to properly teach their riders. A therapy horse is also trained to not mind extra equipment (such as toys, balls, ropes, batons etc.) and large devices (like lifts that are used to allow a rider to safely mount). Horses that respond well to voice and leg commands are