Instructions
Consult with your veterinarian to ensure that your horse is sound, with no signs of lameness, and has three rhythmic and balanced gaits. Disabled children and adults require smooth and steady gaits to maintain their balance while riding.
Teach your horse to work in different environments with varying noise levels. Therapy animals must be impervious to clamor and stressful situations while working around children.
Show your horse that work can be fun by having him constantly learn and try new things while riding him. This teaches him to have a good work ethic in his new job.
Train your horse to stand quietly while being groomed, tacked up, mounted and dismounted. Work with him to pick up his feet when asked (for hoof cleaning) and to keep a safe distance from his handler while being led. Therapy horses must behave mannerly while being handled on the ground.
Determine the age limits of the facility where you plan on having your horse work. Many therapeutic riding centers do not accept horses that are very young or horses that are very old.
Permit a certified therapeutic riding instructor to ride and test your horse. The instructor usually evaluates a prospective animal on movement, behavior under saddle, conformation and general suitability for working with people with disabilities.
How to Get Your Horse Certified for Hippotherapy
Horse owners wanting to retire their aging mounts from competitive sport may consider donating their animals to therapeutic riding centers. These equine facilities work with handicapped children and adults, teaching them to ride and work around horses to assist in the patients' physical and emotional therapy. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and/or the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) certify most of the therapeutic centers in the United States; they also assure that riding instructors and donated horses meet their certification standards for the safety of their clients.