PROSPECTIVE HORSES

Guidelines for Accepting Horse/Pony Donations

Handi-Riders, Inc. provides a valuable service to individuals with physical, emotional and mental disabilities.  The heart and soul of the program are the horses/ponies that ultimately provide the therapeutic benefits, with the assistance of many volunteers under the careful guidance of a certified instructor.  The horses/ponies used in the program must be suitable not only by their disposition, but also with their physical health.  Many good horses/ponies have had to be rejected because of qualities that may seem minor, but the organization feels could blossom into something more.

The Head Instructor takes the horses through the tests and makes recommendations.  The Executive Director then makes a final decision based on the recommendation received, as well as the guidelines provided in this handbook.  Please understand that horses/ponies are not rejected because they are “bad,” but rather because there is something with which the organization is uncomfortable with.

Physical requirements of a horse/pony being offered on a PERMANENT basis:

• AGE:  The horse/pony must be no younger than 5 years old and no older than 15 years.
• SOUNDNESS:  The horse/pony must be sound and free of any condition that may lead to further care as determined by our veterinarian.  For example: navicular, laminitis, rotation.
• HEALTH:  The horse/pony must be free of any health problems as determined by our veterinarian.  For example:  heaves, chronic colic.
• GENERAL:  The horse/pony must pass a veterinarian’s examination.

Physical Requirements of horses/ponies being offered on a TEMPORARY basis:

• SOUNDNESS:  The horse/pony must be free of any lameness at the present time.
• HEALTH:  The horse must not exhibit any characteristics of an illness that will impair his ability to perform, or any known health problems that will cost the organization money.

Testing the Animal:

The Head Instructor will make a personal visit to the animal’s home.  This gives us the opportunity to observe the horse/pony and his behaviors when he is comfortable.

Tests include:

• Leading at a walk and trot beside a person on a reasonably loose lead
• Standing with someone in front of him
• Having his ears touched
• Standing quietly while exercises are performed on his back
• Standing while a nerf ball is being thrown to and from his back
• Standing while tied
• Walking, trotting, cantering, stopping and standing quietly when mounted

Not all horses will pass all tests at this time.  However, a majority of the tests must be passed.  A horse that shows promise in overcoming the failed tests will progress to the next step.

The horse/pony is taken to Handi-Riders’ facility.  The horse/pony is given a few days to settle into his new environment, and will again be run through a series of tests.

At this time, tests include:

• The horse must quietly walk and trot over ground poles
• Horse must walk quietly over the bridge
• Horse must stand while the mailbox and basketball hoop are wiggled and make noise
• Horse must walk and trot through the upright poles and not react when the pole is hit by the rider
• Horse must not react to the sidewalkers-and being bumped by them
• Horse must stand while crutches are clanged about and even dropped next to him
• Horse must stand quietly while a wheelchair is moved around him
• Horse must come into and stand close to both blocks, and stand while various mounts and dismounts are performed
• Horse must enter and stand quietly in the ramp while various mounts and dismounts are performed

At this level, the horse must pass most of the tests.  Depending on the predicted use of the particular horse/pony, some tests may not be relevant.  For example, a very small pony would not need to go into the ramp.

This level of evaluation takes up to six weeks.  At this time the animal is in Handi-Riders care-the same level of care that a horse/pony loaned to us on a temporary basis would receive.  The owner is asked to sign a release agreement.  Any horse/pony not passing these tests is taken back to his home as agreed upon by the owner and organization.

Any horse/pony being offered on a temporary basis that has passed these tests is then accepted as an official Handi-Riders horse.  Any horse/pony that is being offered on a permanent basis and has passed these tests will be considered for acceptance.

The best Handi-Riders’ horses/ponies are those that love their jobs.  They know their jobs and perform them well.  These animals typically are “naturals” and extensive training is not needed.  It is not uncommon for an animal to work for a period of time and become “sour.”  These animals usually were not the ”naturals,” but rather were trained and adjusted well to the tasks they were asked to perform.

Not every horse/pony is appropriate for our program.  While we would rather not turn away an animal offered to us, we must do what is in the best interest of the organization.  A horse/pony that may be a safety hazard, or one that will cost a great deal of money to maintain would not be in our best interest.  Furthermore, a horse/pony that did not work out could not be happy being asked to perform this task.

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