AQHA & Theraputic Riding Creates New Opportunities For Disabled Equine Enthusiasts
Horseback riding is a helpful therapeutic tool in improving balance, coordination, and strengthening muscles. The action of the horse's back simulates the action of walking in the rider's pelvis. Horseback riding uses all the muscles in the body. Activities emphasizing cognitive, behavioral, psychological, and physical goals of each participant provide the rider with skills leading to successful adaptive riding.
A Brief History
There is documentation that individuals explored the various therapeutic benefits of working with horses as far back as 600 B.C. The first modern study of the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding occurred in 1875. Cassaign, a physician, prescribed riding for his patients believing that it would benefit individuals with such issues as neurological disorders, joint pain and immobility and balance. Oxford Hospital in England utilized riding therapy for soldiers injured in World War I as a means to both physical and spiritual healing from the horrors of warfare. Because of the unique bond that is formed between humansx and animals, riding is considered especially beneficial for people with special needs.
The modern era of theraputic riding began in the mid 1940s, during which there were significant outbreaks of polio in Scandinavia. Lis Hartel was stricken with this illness, which limited her mobility. Through hard work and unstinting determination Lis was able to rehabilitate herself using horseback riding. She went on to compete at the very highest levels winning two Olympic silver medals for Grand Prix Dressage in the 1950's. As news of her international success spread other therapists, doctors and horsemen became interested in using horses as therapy for other patients. Lis joined forces with Ulla Harpoth, a physical therapist; together the women started one of the first therapeutic riding programs. Word quickly spread of this success and riding programs developed all over Europe, North America and Australia.
AQHA Gets Involved
AQHA and AQHYA members have a new type of competition that offers people with certain mental and physical challenges the thrill of showing an American Quarter Horse. It provides an arena for everyone to enjoy the rewards of hard work, determination and perseverance. This program allows you to show in four classes and earn points for year-end, high-point awards, along with the satisfaction of a job well done.
The four classes are showmanship at halter, walk and trot hunt seat equitation on the flat; walk and jog western horsemanship, and walk and jog trail horse. Each entry must have a handler to help with the safety of the rider. Judging criteria consists of rider's balance, rider's seat, use of aids, ability to follow directions, ring etiquette, safety and sportsmanlike conduct.
The Equestrians with Disabilities competition is the result of several years of letters, calls, meetings and task forces to develop a program to meet the needs of disabled competitors. Representatives from the North American Riding for the handicapped Association (NARHA), Special Olympics and therapeutic riding centers, along with several individuals, provided input and guidance to create the classes, rules and guidelines. This competition is just like any other AQHA show event, with exhibitors earning awards and recognition, all while enjoying their American Quarter Horse.
General Rules To Compete
1. You must have a current individual membership in American Quarter Horse Association or American Quarter Horse Youth Association.
2. These classes are open to walk and trot riders only. Rider is not allowed to have been judged in a class at a recognized or non-recognized show that requires a lope or canter in which a rider performed the lope or canter. Academy classes are considered non-recognized shows.
3. • You do not have to own the horse you compete on. However, only horses registered with AQHA as specified in Rules 200 and 406 of the Handbook are eligible to compete in approved shows. The exhibitor must present the registration certificate or photocopy as required by show management. Only geldings or mares may be shown - stallions are not allowed.
4. An exhibitor cannot show more than one horse in the same class and a horse cannot be shown by more than one exhibitor in the same class. In 2009 the rules will change to allow up to 3 riders to compete on the same horse in a class. This change is the result of having more riders wanting to compete than horses to compete on.
5. Participation in these approved events requires an Equestrian Proficiency card from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (http://www.narha.org), or a special adaptive equipment and riding ability form, available from AQHA, which must be completed by a NARHA certified instructor, certified Special Olympic coach or certified therapeutic riding instructor, indicating the adaptive equipment is required for the participant.
6. The following conditions are recognized as meeting the eligibility requirements: amputation, anthrogryposis, Asperger’s syndrome, autism, Batten’s disease, cebvrovascular accident (stroke), cerebella ataxia, cerebral palsy, Coffin Lowry syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, dwarfism, fragile X syndrome, Freidrick’s ataxia, Guillan Barre syndrome, hearing impairment, Hunter’s syndrome, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, mental retardation, microcephaly, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, post polio syndrome, Prader Willie syndrome, Rhett syndrome, spina bifida, spinal cord injury, Touretts syndrome, traumatic brain injury, trisomy abnormalities and visual impairments.
7. Handlers are required for all classes with one handler per entry in the ring to facilitate the safety of the rider. The handler must be sixteen years of age or older. A halter must be on the horse either over or under the bridle for use by the handler if needed. The handler must have a suitable lead line in hand in case of need. The lead line may not be fastened to the bit. Handlers shall stand quietly as a group in a designated area of the ring unless their assistance is required and requested by the judge or ring steward.
8. Equipment should conform to the needs of the competitor and be suitable for the horse.
9. Special adaptive equipment may be used where appropriate. Acceptable adaptive equipment includes: audio communications, bareback pads, boot adaptations, dowel reins, hand holds (flexible and/or rigid), helmets, laces to tie stirrups or leathers to girth or cinch, ladder reins, loop reins, rein handles, rein handle tethers, rubber bands, saddle blocks, wedges, cushions, safety stirrups, seat savers, surcingles, whips (one or two). Other equipment will be considered upon request.
10. English classes - riders must wear a properly fitted and fastened ASTM® approved protective helmet with harness. No equipment is allowed that would in any way affix the rider to the horse or saddle with the exception of light rubber bands. Safety stirrups (Peacock, S-shaped irons or Devonshire) are required if rider is unable to wear boots with a heel. Peacock irons are recommended in all cases. Proper English attire is required as set forth in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.
11. Western classes - riders must wear a properly fitted and fastened ASTM® approved protective helmet with harness. A Western hat may be affixed over the helmet. No equipment is allowed that would in any way affix the rider to the horse or saddle with the exception of light rubber bands. Safety stirrups (covered or other approved safety stirrups) are required if rider is unable to wear boots with a heel. Proper Western attire is required as set forth in the AQHA Official Handbook of Rules and Regulations.
KQHA is proud to participate in this program. Many of our state shows offer the equestrians with disabilities classes and several groups bring students to compete for daily and year end awards. KQHA members have dominated the AQHA Honor Roll awards for the last two years and this year a show in Hutchinson, Kansas had classes with 9 participants, one of the largest offered in the United States to date. We encourage everyone to find a show offering these classes and go and watch. The enthusiasm and joy you will see on the faces of these contestants gives new meaning the old phrase
Many theraputic riding programs would like to participate in the equestrians with disabilities program but cannot do so due to the lack of AQHA registered horses available for their use. If you have a kind, well mannered, ridable registered gelding or mare that perhaps you are not using please consider loaning or donating that horse to a program in your area. Some programs require that the horse be sound, others will consider a horse which requires some maintenence to be sound and happy. In many cases a tax receipt for donation can be provided. If you do not have a horse but would like to help other options include being a rider aide, providing items from their wish list or a cash donation. Below are listed some programs in Kansas which either participate or would like to participate in the equestrians with disabilities competitions. Most are non-profit organizations who depend on the generosity of fellow horseman and members of their communities to keep the doors open. They welcome your interest and support.
Flint Hills Theraputic Riding Center
143rd Street East and 13th Street North
@ Murfin Stables
P.O. Box 782622
WICHITA KS 67204
PHONE 316-733-8943
Heartland Therapeutic Riding, Inc.
Vicke Brown
PO Box 391
Stilwell, KS 66085
(913) 897-3939
htr@swbell.net
www.heartlandtherapeuticriding.org
Horses of Hope
Michele McColm
55 Kelly Rd
Buffalo, MO 65622
(417) 345-5210
hoh@ckt.net
Independence Farms Inc., School of T.R.
Terri Gauby
PO Box 35
907 Park St.
Washington, KS 66968
(785) 325-2719
ashcreekacres@washingtonds.net
www.independencefarms.org
Reins of Hope
Jane Harder
PO Box 57
Hutchinson, KS 67504-0057
(620) 665-0906
reinsofhope@sbcglobal.net
Rosewood Ranch
Eric Hammond
PO Box 1321
Great Bend, KS 67530
(620) 786-1693
coosa@rosewoodhorseranch.com