CKRH is currently looking for horses to add to our equine team. Our program has recently expanded into a new facility and a new year-a-round schedule. We have many requests to provide services but are currently limited in our ability to expand due to a shortage of appropriate horses. The type of horse we are looking for at this time must meet a set of requirements in order to serve a specific group of participants. We are looking for horses with the following characteristics:
- Between 7 & 18 years of age
- Approximately 15 – 16 hands in height
- Walk, trot, and canter OR walk, gait sound in an arena
- Ability to comfortably carry adult weight at the canter OR gait
- Ability to walk, trot, and canter OR gait on a lunge line with a rider
- Safe for a beginner rider to ride off-lead
- Years of experience with very novice equestrians
CKRH has a process in place in order to select horses that will be safe mounts for our participants as well as horses that will be happy with their new career as a therapy horse. Our staff receives many calls and e-mails from people wishing to lease or donate their horses. First, we ask a set of questions regarding the horse’s age, height, breed, training, soundness, health, and temperament. The form questions may be found at http://www.ckrh.org/other.html. If the horse sounds like it may be a good candidate, an evaluation is scheduled in which at least two CKRH staff members visit the horse at his current home or if vaccinations are current the horse is brought to CKRH for evaluation. The horse is observed while being handled and ridden by the owner and then by CKRH staff. We takes notes on the horse’s temperament and attitude toward people, how the horse behaves and responds to new things or situations that he may need to be comfortable with to be a therapy horse, such as accepting side walkers, and we evaluate his responsiveness to a rider. Is his gait, attitude, and training appropriate for the clients we are trying to serve?
The next step is the trial period. The horse comes to CKRH on an up to 90 day trial lease. He is introduced to his new surroundings: the barn, paddock, and arena and goes through mounted and non-mounted training sessions. The horse also gets practice in the form of “mock” lessons in which he is exposed to having a leader, sidewalkers, and rider. He gets introduced to mounting procedures, lesson props, and games. The trial period is the most important step in choosing and preparing a horse to be used in the program. The horse is given a chance to “try out” his new job and show us whether or not he was meant to be a therapy horse. After the trial, horses that have proven themselves to be suitable therapy mounts are either free leased from or donated by their owners.
During this entire process, much attention is given to choosing a horse that will remain healthy and content, which in turn assures a safe and beneficial ride for participants and a safe, enjoyable experience for the volunteers handling that horse.
If you know of a horse for CKRH to consider and evaluate, please go to http://www.ckrh.org/other.html complete the Trial Horse Screening form and send to our Equine Manager at equinecare@ckrh.org or mail the form to CKRH at PO Box 13155, Lexington KY 40511 atten: Amanda
PO BOX 13155
Lexington, KY 40511
Phone:859.231.7066 | Fax: 859.252.5016
