Training a horse for handicapped

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My wife is disabled and not able to get onto a horse. I've heard of horses who kneel or lay down for the handicapped. Does anyone know how to train one to do this?

-- Chris Tomlinson (tomlinsonchris@netscape.net), May 24, 2001

Answers

How about getting a pony which has been trained to a cart, there are new easy acess carts in to magazines for around 600.and a pony is easyer to handle and eats less then a horse.A older pony would be good.just a thought.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), May 24, 2001.

I work at a facility for the physically callenged. We started taking them to a local horse stable for riding a few years ago. The owner constructed a large platform (just below the height of the horses back) with a handicap ramp going up. We are able to even take a wheelchair up and transfer a person from the chair to the saddle with no more difficulty than to another chair. Hope this idea helps you.

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), May 24, 2001.

My mother's cousin was crippled with polio when he was in his 20s ... serious horseman and a rancher ... he trained two different horses to lay down so he could get astride them (walking with leg braces and crutches) and they would then get up under him. It's not real hard to do but takes time ... you start by teaching them to kneel on one knee with the other front leg out in front of them, then getting them to roll over on their side. You need soft ground to work them on, of course, but it's something that doesn't come naturally to a horse so you would probably be best off to find someone who has actually done quite a lot of training with horses to help you with it.

I trained a horse once to do a camel-type stretch ... front legs way out in front and then would rock backwards and lower the front end like a dog stretching ... so I could get on when I had my foot in a cast and it wouldn't fit in the left stirrup. That's not all that difficult, just takes some time.

-- SFM in KY (timberln@hyperaction.net), May 24, 2001.


I was training one of my horses (a pony actually) to lie down on command. We never got all way way there because she died of unrelated causes, however, what SFM said is essentially how we were going about it, we were working on an article for a magazine as a matter of fact at the time on this.

There were a series of articles on a handicapped man who had taught his horse to do this many years back (20 anyway), and he would crawl across the grass to the horse, grab onto the saddle, and hold on while the horse heaved to his feet. It gave him a lot more mobility, however, at the time I held my breath watching the proceedure because if the human doesn't have a good and strong grip to hold on while the horse heaves upright (this tends to be a rather explosive action, just due to a horse's natural mechanics, rather than a slow rise that cows more frequently exhibit), the human could be dumped on the ground again, possibly from a greater height. Injury is a possibility and something to consider.

The suggestions of a cart and a handicapped access ramp are pretty good ones, I think. We had a very high mounting block at one stable (I don't think it was intended for this purpose, but the owner was being progressively disabled by a brain tumor herself and having trouble getting in a saddle without added height) that you almost had to step down off of onto the horse. It was too high for me, but it was good for little kids and might be the answer for disabled mounting, depending on whether your wife is in a wheel chair, on crutches, or what.

A friend of mine who is pushing 80 has finally decided to give up riding, however, she still has her National Champion trail horses. She had them trained to pull carts, and now does trail driving competition with them and has a fabulous time.

-- julie f. (rumplefrogskin@excite.com), May 24, 2001.


Hi,

Where are you located? I contacted with a lady in Maryland who is the chair of the therauptic horse organization there to find out where to find a facility to take my students with severe disabilities to for riding. She was very helpful. if you are interested let me know and i'll get you her e-mail.

-- Bernice Raymond (geminigoats@yahoo.com), May 24, 2001.



Hi Chris,

I've a degree in Equine Management and have been involved with two handicapped riding programs. While it is possible to train a horse the way You're hoping, there are some concerns also. It is MUCH easier and safer for all concerned when using a mounting stand. Most horses will stand quietly by a stand to be mounted, but not all will readily take to something that is against their nature, like laying down to be mounted.

The mounting stand is very simple being a ramp with a platform at the end. Just make sure it's solid (doesn't rock or tip) and has no projecting ends that could snag horse or rider.

One young lady I rode with had MS which confined her to a chair. We rigged a pulley on a rafter allowing her to hook onto her saddle, lift it about 7 feet, then lower it unto her horses back after leading him underneath. She could then saddle on her own, then lead him to the ramp where he waited patiently while she wheeled up the ramp and onto his back. It was a great solution for everyone!! I should probably add she was an accomplished horseperson before the MS and had a great relationship with her horse. But this would work for anyone willing to take the time.

Please contact me if You've any questions. Good Luck!!!

Randle

-- Randle Gay (rangay@hotmail.com), May 24, 2001.


Thanks for everyones responses. I plan to try the cart anyway, and maybe I will just have to find someone to train the horse for me.

Chris

-- Chris Tomlinson (tomlinsonchris@netscape.net), May 25, 2001.


Chris, I didn't know you were looking into this for me. I just happened to check out this question while I was looking through the forum. You're so sweet to think of me. Don't worry, I'll be on a horse in no time and we'll see if you can keep up. Thanks for taking such good care of me. Love, Marci

To everyone else.......I have a disease of the nervous system, alot like MS, that makes walking without a cane quite difficult. I don't have the upper body strength nor the legs to mount a horse. A horse that would kneel would be nice that I could go anywhere and get on and off, something that a stand wouldn't allow. I'm not picky though. I just want to be able to go riding with my husband. Thanks for your ideas. We're going to look into this together. Marci

-- Marci Tomlinson (marci_tomlinson@hotmail.com), May 25, 2001.


Chris: you've been caught red-handed! :) Marci, you are indeed fortunate to have such a devoted partner! I truly hope you find what you need. I have a friend looking into making a saddle to help handicapped people ride, so I've been keeping up on this thread. I don't have any experience to offer, but well-wishes in abundance! Blessings, Epona

-- Epona (crystalepona2000@yahoo.com), May 25, 2001.

I have been thinking about this and here is another idea,what about a draft typ poney? small enough to get on and stocky enough to carry a adult.a shetland, or dartmoor or iceland or even a small morgan. The reason I got my morgan is she was small [ easy to get on] and if my scolioses got any worse I could use a cart with her instead. just a thought.Also as a extra note if you wear leg braces be carefull as the pressure on a horses side can drive a sensitive horse nuts, a friend of my daughter rode my horse once and her leg braces realy upset my horse who is sensitive to touch anyway.Hope you come up with something. Good luck.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), May 28, 2001.


==How about getting a pony which has been trained to a cart ==

I saw something really neat. This gal was in a wheelchair and instead of a regular cart, she had what looked like a chariot. Remember 'Ben Hur?' It had sides and curved around the front, but the back was open. She drove her wheelchair in and sat in it while she drove.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), May 28, 2001.


Hello, I have a therapeutic riding program in Ontario Canada. I would suggest that you could contact a Therapeutic Riding program in your area, they may have a horse that has been doing therapeutic driving/riding and is no longer needed with the program. The advantage here would be a horse who is already trained and very aware of his role as an equine partner. North AmericanRiding the Handicapped Assoc. will have a list of programs and their addresses. they have a web site and telephone is 303 452 1212 --best of luck. Should anyone need saddles remade or made for the Disabled Rider let me know--I do have a few contacts who do this. Blessings Ellen

-- Ellen (krauseek@hotmail.com), December 14, 2001.

I understand your need for a horse which can learn to kneel or lie down - doesn't do your wife much good to have a horse and if she can't mount from anywhere, right?

Horses can be taught to kneel, perhaps not quite easily, but look how many rodeo "clown" horses can do that. I would think that you could get in touch with someone like Monty Roberts (and don't think that he wouldn't at least have someone answer your question!) as you want the most experienced person you can find for this - ask if there is a person in YOUR area which can do this training. You might have to spend a few hundred to get the training, but you can be assured of having it done correctly or at least it won't take forever to have it done. Most folks don't believe that someone "famous" would help them, you would be surprised if you just ask. I understand therapy horses are used to mounting blocks - however, you can't haul one of those around with you.

good luck and let us all know how this turns out,

-- Cindy (colawson@mindspring.com), December 15, 2001.


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