There are many depictions of horses helping people across the spectrum of movies and television, as well as in the media. Adults and children with a variety of issues including PTSD, eating disorders and physical challenges can benefit from horses. But have you ever wondered what type of horses suit this important role?
At SARI Therapeutic Riding, an organization that specializes in equine therapy for people with special needs at their facility in Arva, Ontario, a lot of work goes into ensuring the right animals find their way into the program.
SARI’s program manager, Terri-Lynn Thede, recently spoke to the CBC Morning Show about the training she and her team do. Like many equine-assisted programs, they sometimes have horses donated to them. Thede told the CBC that these horses go through a 30-day training program that includes exposing them to various activities, games, equipment like hula hoops and squeaky toys, and lessons. Vitally important for SARI horses is the animal’s ability to see how they react to the lift that’s used for riders in wheelchairs to mount, how they react to noisy environments, and how well they adapt if a rider shifts their balance.
As expected, horses in these programs must be calm and quiet and not spooky. She speaks about one new horse, an OTTB named Toto that was also an event horse. Thede notes that often horses that had a show background make good therapy horses simply because they’ve seen and heard so much on the showgrounds.
Once the trial is over, then a horse like Toto is ready to be used in the various therapy programs on offer at SARI. These include traditional riding lessons, grooming programs, summer camps and occupational and physiotherapy programs.
The transformation of the people who participate in the programs are a highlight for Thede. “You see their demeanour change. You also see physical benefits like core strength, coordination, fine motor skills and social skills,” she tells the CBC. “You see emotional relationship building. Anxiety is something we deal with on a regular basis; we tell them to take a deep breath and you see their body relax and the horse relax with them. It is so rewarding.
“Honestly, it’s the dream job. Sometimes I can’t even believe that this is what I do every day.”
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