People with Disabilities
People with Disabilities:
Dealing with people that have disabilities are a challenge in and of itself. A lot of times, children and adults look at therapeutic riding to deal or help with their disability. This is serve quiet a challenge for some people, the horse, and the owner of the facility. One thing I like to keep in mind when working with people that have disabilities is that anything can happen and it’s probably going to.
When the children or adults are around the horses always have someone supervise them. Include them in the grooming and tacking up process. This way it makes them feel special and gives them some responsibility. Make sure they have on the appropriate wear such as close toed shoes with a slight heel and a fitting helmet.
Riding requires a team of help in ensure the rider does not get hurt. Normally you would have at least 4 people walking with you at all times. Before riding make sure that the horse you have is extremely calm and has a good temperament. Keep in mind that every horse can and will get scared, no matter how level headed.
Steps to Riding:
-Make sure all equipment is well fitted and in proper condition before mounting. This goes for both horse and rider.
-Have a set of mounting steps with a railing and help the person up the steps. Make sure that the horse is n proper position.
-Have someone controlling the horses head, two people at either stirrup, and one helping the person on.
-Have the person holding the left stirrup help them put their foot in the stirrup. Make sure they are holding onto the saddle with one person still behind them.
-Help them up and onto the horses back having the person to the right of the horse grab their legs and gently bring it around and into the saddle.
-If they are feeling secure have the horse take a step away from the steps and check on the person again. At this time the people on the sides will be holding onto their legs in one of two ways.
--holding onto their ankle or calf
--holding them into the saddle by grabbing onto the saddle and holding them down with your arm
-The person aiding in them mounting can walk behind the person leading and talk to the person riding.
-Periodically ask the person if they feel OK. Carry on a conversation with them to make them feel better.
-In the event of an emergency you will need to play the “Off Game”. This is a technique used to remove the person in the event of an emergency. First, have the two holders remove the feet from the stirrups, then have the extra person grab them around the waist as if they were hugging them. Pull them so that as they come off your arms will side up and under their arm pits. Lead the horse out of the way. This can also be used in the event of the horse moving around while mounting. In this case you can make a game of it to make it seem like its just another part of the riding experience.
-When it is time to dismount, bring them to the mounting steps again. Have the leg holders remove the feet from the stirrups.
-Swing the leg up and over and remove the person from the horse.
This can be a very important part of a person life to help them cope with their disability. Remember to make the most out of it for the person so they can have a memorable experience.
Dealing with people that have disabilities are a challenge in and of itself. A lot of times, children and adults look at therapeutic riding to deal or help with their disability. This is serve quiet a challenge for some people, the horse, and the owner of the facility. One thing I like to keep in mind when working with people that have disabilities is that anything can happen and it’s probably going to.
When the children or adults are around the horses always have someone supervise them. Include them in the grooming and tacking up process. This way it makes them feel special and gives them some responsibility. Make sure they have on the appropriate wear such as close toed shoes with a slight heel and a fitting helmet.
Riding requires a team of help in ensure the rider does not get hurt. Normally you would have at least 4 people walking with you at all times. Before riding make sure that the horse you have is extremely calm and has a good temperament. Keep in mind that every horse can and will get scared, no matter how level headed.
Steps to Riding:
-Make sure all equipment is well fitted and in proper condition before mounting. This goes for both horse and rider.
-Have a set of mounting steps with a railing and help the person up the steps. Make sure that the horse is n proper position.
-Have someone controlling the horses head, two people at either stirrup, and one helping the person on.
-Have the person holding the left stirrup help them put their foot in the stirrup. Make sure they are holding onto the saddle with one person still behind them.
-Help them up and onto the horses back having the person to the right of the horse grab their legs and gently bring it around and into the saddle.
-If they are feeling secure have the horse take a step away from the steps and check on the person again. At this time the people on the sides will be holding onto their legs in one of two ways.
--holding onto their ankle or calf
--holding them into the saddle by grabbing onto the saddle and holding them down with your arm
-The person aiding in them mounting can walk behind the person leading and talk to the person riding.
-Periodically ask the person if they feel OK. Carry on a conversation with them to make them feel better.
-In the event of an emergency you will need to play the “Off Game”. This is a technique used to remove the person in the event of an emergency. First, have the two holders remove the feet from the stirrups, then have the extra person grab them around the waist as if they were hugging them. Pull them so that as they come off your arms will side up and under their arm pits. Lead the horse out of the way. This can also be used in the event of the horse moving around while mounting. In this case you can make a game of it to make it seem like its just another part of the riding experience.
-When it is time to dismount, bring them to the mounting steps again. Have the leg holders remove the feet from the stirrups.
-Swing the leg up and over and remove the person from the horse.
This can be a very important part of a person life to help them cope with their disability. Remember to make the most out of it for the person so they can have a memorable experience.