What is the process for training therapy horses? 

Objectives: 

1. Students will understand the importance of equine therapy and what makes a good therapy horse.

2. Students will observe how a therapy horse is trained.

3. Students will analyze why there are strict guidelines in place for training a therapy horse. 

  Lesson: 

  1. Explain what a therapy horse is (Hook); Sources: (Bauwens) (“Miniature Horses”) - 5 min 

   a) Start by talking about the importance of equine therapy.

                                                          i) Human- animal bond, allowing the horse to trust and respect the human

                     and vise versa, the goal is to create a relationship 

                 Q: How much impact do you think service animals have?      Source: (“Animal Assisted Therapy Research.”) 

b)The role therapy horses play (Lecture) 

i) Horses provide a safe place to heal mentally and physically.

1. Mentally: lowers anxiety/stress, produces oxytocin calming individual

2. Physical: reduces blood pressure and reduces overall physical pain

                                                ii) They can’t judge the human, therefore helps those who don’t feel comfortable with the “traditional talk therapy” (Miniature Horses)

                                            iii) Are able to sense and respond to  humans’ emotions through touch and body language 

 2.  Explain the criteria for a good therapy horse (Lecture/Activity); Sources: (Mauve) (“Miniature Horses”) -   5 min 

a)  Look to see if the horse is approachable. 

b) How is their temperament? 

                                               i) Are they calm, docile, friendly towards humans?

c) Does the horse have a low-flight response? 

                                                    i) Do they spook easily, become stressed and start to kick and bite?

d) Desensitized to strange surroundings and objects

e) Age 

                                                                  i)Older horses are usually more docile, however they will have many more health issues.

                                  ii) Younger horses just need more intensive training. 

f) Health 

                                                                     i)   A horse who does not have health issues is the best candidate for therapy.

                                                                            ii) Correct weight, strong hooves, shiny coat, clear eyes and the basic general health of a horse

1. Show two pictures: one of a horse that does not physically meet the criteria, and one that does

Q: Ask the students which horse looks healthy and why they think the other one would not be a candidate for therapy. ​

g) Soundness

                                                 i) The ability to walk and trot without hesitation

                                                             ii)Be able to be under the saddle for at least two hours 

h)Trainability 

                                                                                i)Willing to work with the handler, not stubborn or aggressive behavior toward training

3.   Explain the steps for training a therapy horse (Lecture); Source: (Moad) - 5 min

a)   First Phase of Training 

i) basic  horse manners, lead work, and commands 

ii) Go through obstacles/foreign objects, mock-visit training, loud noises and other experiences that are not normal for the average horse.   

b) Second Phase of Training 

 i) Ready to start bringing the horse into public stores such as Home Depot, Target or a grocery store

ii) Must be a controlled atmosphere, only allowing one person to approach the horse at a time

iii) Pay attention to triggers that instigate the horse in public surroundings. 

1. If any, work on desensitizing those areas 

c) Third Phase of Training 

i) Ready to bring the horse into less controlled environments, such as busy areas and crowds 

1. e.g.. Airports, malls, hospitals, and fairs/parades 

d) Fourth Phase of Training 

i) Horse has had lots of exposure to many different kinds of environments.

ii) Has training for a year 

1. Desentized to all kinds of distractions and surroundings 

4.   Explain why there need to be strict guidelines put in place for training (Epilogue); Source: (Mauve) - 5 min 

a)  Safety Standards 

i) Anyone who is around a horse, no matter how sweet they may seem is at risk for potentially getting hurt because a horse is still an animal. 

ii) Horses have to be trained for months. 

1. Handlers have to be cautious due to someone having a physical or mental disability, putting them at a higher risk (e.g.. autism) 

2. When all guidelines and the correct training have been put into place, equine therapy is safe and effective. 

  Materials: 

1.   Video clips 

                                                     2. Photos of horse’s physique and training