Equine Seniors in Service
Learn how the senior horses of BHTRC are selected for their second career
by Angel S. Gnau, photos courtesy BHTRC
Bright Horizon Therapeutic Riding Center, located in Siletz, Oregon, proves that senior horses still have much to offer in their later years. In a program that uses horses to assist in physical and emotional therapy, a senior horse’s wealth of experience can be his greatest asset.
Each horse is carefully screened and evaluated for soundness, temperament, age, and smoothness of gaits. The horse’s soothing rhythm, strength, warmth, and three-dimensional movement pattern provide healthy exercise for the rider.
Meet the Equine Therapists
Currently, there are five horses in the Bright Horizon program, four of which are seniors who had previous careers before becoming therapeutic riding horses:
Abbey is a 21-year-old, 14.3 hand red dun Quarter Horse mare. She had a very successful show career as a western pleasure and trail horse. Abbey is ideal for beginner riders and emerging independent riders because she is patient and sweet.
Buzzy is a 21-year-old, 15 hand overo Paint Horse gelding. Buzzy led many different lives, from competitive rodeo horse to mountain trail riding horse to 4-H show and gaming horse for a young girl. Because of his diverse background and training he is wonderful with new riders and emerging independent riders.
Delight is a 21-year-old, 14.3 hand palomino Quarter Horse mare. Delight carried her former young rider to many blue ribbons in western and English classes both in 4-H and open shows. Delight is a talented horse and is currently used for vaulting and dressage. Because of Delight’s movement and base of support, she is ideal for young riders.
Jake is a 17-year-old, 15 hand chestnut Quarter Horse gelding. Jake’s former career as an Oregon Governor’s Mounted Guard Horse was quite exciting; because of all of his special training, he is very patient and quiet with riders. He is confident and enjoys being ridden by emerging independent riders. The class clown of the barn, he loves his daily carrots.
by Angel S. Gnau, photos courtesy BHTRC
Bright Horizon Therapeutic Riding Center, located in Siletz, Oregon, proves that senior horses still have much to offer in their later years. In a program that uses horses to assist in physical and emotional therapy, a senior horse’s wealth of experience can be his greatest asset.
Each horse is carefully screened and evaluated for soundness, temperament, age, and smoothness of gaits. The horse’s soothing rhythm, strength, warmth, and three-dimensional movement pattern provide healthy exercise for the rider.
Meet the Equine Therapists
Currently, there are five horses in the Bright Horizon program, four of which are seniors who had previous careers before becoming therapeutic riding horses:
Abbey is a 21-year-old, 14.3 hand red dun Quarter Horse mare. She had a very successful show career as a western pleasure and trail horse. Abbey is ideal for beginner riders and emerging independent riders because she is patient and sweet. 
Buzzy is a 21-year-old, 15 hand overo Paint Horse gelding. Buzzy led many different lives, from competitive rodeo horse to mountain trail riding horse to 4-H show and gaming horse for a young girl. Because of his diverse background and training he is wonderful with new riders and emerging independent riders. 
Delight is a 21-year-old, 14.3 hand palomino Quarter Horse mare. Delight carried her former young rider to many blue ribbons in western and English classes both in 4-H and open shows. Delight is a talented horse and is currently used for vaulting and dressage. Because of Delight’s movement and base of support, she is ideal for young riders. 
Jake is a 17-year-old, 15 hand chestnut Quarter Horse gelding. Jake’s former career as an Oregon Governor’s Mounted Guard Horse was quite exciting; because of all of his special training, he is very patient and quiet with riders. He is confident and enjoys being ridden by emerging independent riders. The class clown of the barn, he loves his daily carrots.Seniors at Work
Polly Cohen, the executive director of Bright Horizon, was kind enough to give us a little more information about the therapeutic riding program at BHTRC:
NWHS: What do you look for in a prospective therapy horse?
PC: I look for horses with show experience because that horse has seen a lot, been trailered, clipped, bathed and they generally have good ground manners. Size wise, 14 to 15.2 hands is best. Each horse has a different base of support, some riders can’t straddle a broader horse, so we look for a narrow base of support. Each horse has a different type of movement; some horses give a front motion, side-to-side or rotational. I get on the horse and get a feel of how they move and what this will offer to a rider. For instance, if we have a rider with Down Syndrome, and we put them on a Thoroughbred with a big swinging walk, that would put them to sleep. If we put them on a stocky Quarter Horse type with a more jarring gait, this would encourage the rider’s muscles to pay attention and would actually be a better ride for them and much more interactive in the class.
Every horse that comes into the program goes on a 30-60-day trial. We let them settle in the first week; the second and third week we ride them, put them through the paces, getting them adapted to toys, being led and having them handle the sidewalkers, leader and a rider. We want to see how they handle emerging independent riders. Are they comfortable with beginner riders? Some of our riders may have weak trunks, so they may sit off to the side. We want to see how the horse handles an hour-long class with the rider not perfectly sitting in alignment. If all goes well, we accept them into the program after the trial period. Quarter Horse type horses seem to work out the best because of their size and varying base of support.
NWHS: What exercises are performed by the riders and how do the horses help in this process?
PC: Delight and Abbey are great for nervous novice riders who have never been on a horse. They are extremely patient babysitters and confidence builders. They tend to adapt themselves to each rider. Things that the rider may have issues with are confidence and self-esteem. The riders start brushing the horse, interacting with the volunteers, and we try to make that consistent and have them ride the same horse every week so they can develop that relationship.
They learn strength, balance, posture and sitting up tall in the saddle, which is difficult. Horse’s movements mimic our own movement. For wheelchair-bound or people with limited mobility, when they get on the horse their hips are moving in the same direction, so when they get off they stand a little taller, and can even let go of the walker a little longer.
NWHS: What do you see for the future of Bright Horizon?
PC: I guess the future of Bright Horizon is to get a wheelchair ramp and electric lift so that we can open our doors to everybody. Right now we are limited to people who can walk at least a few steps on their own, as we do not have a wheelchair accessible ramp. We want to expand to local organizations like DHS, Shangri-La, County Mental Health and the school districts and develop those partnerships. The current facility is leased; eventually, being able to own our own facility would be wonderful. We are also becoming an accredited NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) center.
About the Author
Polly Cohen, the executive director of Bright Horizon, was kind enough to give us a little more information about the therapeutic riding program at BHTRC:
NWHS: What do you look for in a prospective therapy horse?
PC: I look for horses with show experience because that horse has seen a lot, been trailered, clipped, bathed and they generally have good ground manners. Size wise, 14 to 15.2 hands is best. Each horse has a different base of support, some riders can’t straddle a broader horse, so we look for a narrow base of support. Each horse has a different type of movement; some horses give a front motion, side-to-side or rotational. I get on the horse and get a feel of how they move and what this will offer to a rider. For instance, if we have a rider with Down Syndrome, and we put them on a Thoroughbred with a big swinging walk, that would put them to sleep. If we put them on a stocky Quarter Horse type with a more jarring gait, this would encourage the rider’s muscles to pay attention and would actually be a better ride for them and much more interactive in the class.
Every horse that comes into the program goes on a 30-60-day trial. We let them settle in the first week; the second and third week we ride them, put them through the paces, getting them adapted to toys, being led and having them handle the sidewalkers, leader and a rider. We want to see how they handle emerging independent riders. Are they comfortable with beginner riders? Some of our riders may have weak trunks, so they may sit off to the side. We want to see how the horse handles an hour-long class with the rider not perfectly sitting in alignment. If all goes well, we accept them into the program after the trial period. Quarter Horse type horses seem to work out the best because of their size and varying base of support.
NWHS: What exercises are performed by the riders and how do the horses help in this process?
PC: Delight and Abbey are great for nervous novice riders who have never been on a horse. They are extremely patient babysitters and confidence builders. They tend to adapt themselves to each rider. Things that the rider may have issues with are confidence and self-esteem. The riders start brushing the horse, interacting with the volunteers, and we try to make that consistent and have them ride the same horse every week so they can develop that relationship.
They learn strength, balance, posture and sitting up tall in the saddle, which is difficult. Horse’s movements mimic our own movement. For wheelchair-bound or people with limited mobility, when they get on the horse their hips are moving in the same direction, so when they get off they stand a little taller, and can even let go of the walker a little longer.
NWHS: What do you see for the future of Bright Horizon?
PC: I guess the future of Bright Horizon is to get a wheelchair ramp and electric lift so that we can open our doors to everybody. Right now we are limited to people who can walk at least a few steps on their own, as we do not have a wheelchair accessible ramp. We want to expand to local organizations like DHS, Shangri-La, County Mental Health and the school districts and develop those partnerships. The current facility is leased; eventually, being able to own our own facility would be wonderful. We are also becoming an accredited NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) center.
About the Author
Angel Gnau is a certified equine appraiser and consultant who manages her Pacific Equine Appraisal in the Portland, Oregon area. She appraises all breeds and disciplines and is available nationwide. Her background comes from more than 30 years in the horse industry as a trainer and consultant. She is also a freelance writer specializing in horse-related articles. Contact Angel at (800) 484-9538 x 4344, (503) 684-2097, or angel.gnau@verizon.net.
Don't Miss the Benefit!
Hearts for Horses Valentine’s Day Benefit Dinner and Auction will be held on February 14th, 2009 at the Bright Horizon Therapeutic Riding Center. They are hoping to raise enough money to get their wheelchair-accessible ramp, electric lift and new footing for the arena. Come out for a night of fun and donate to a great cause! Check the website at www.brighthorizon.org for more information.
Don't Miss the Benefit!
Hearts for Horses Valentine’s Day Benefit Dinner and Auction will be held on February 14th, 2009 at the Bright Horizon Therapeutic Riding Center. They are hoping to raise enough money to get their wheelchair-accessible ramp, electric lift and new footing for the arena. Come out for a night of fun and donate to a great cause! Check the website at www.brighthorizon.org for more information.
Labels: angel s gnau, Feature Stories, November 2008
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8:14 AM
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