PATH CTRI QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
Horse considerations
Temperment
Age
Teachability
Movement
Physical and athletic ability
What you need as a program
Testing prospective TR horse
Temperament
quiet vs busy minded
liable to spook easily
do they appreciate human contact or tolerate it?
in your pocket or not paying attention
BOTH ON THE GROUND AND IN THE SADDLE
Age
ideal (15-20)
How young is too young? (under 5) How old is too old? (over
25)
Teen horses are...
- reliable
- fairly young with energy
- able to work longer
,7-15 years
SHOULD NOT BE DECIDING FACTOR
Teachability
Horses open mindedness to new situations
Horse who picks things up quickly, then they may be best
TOLERANCE: at what point is the breaking point
Movement
Lateral, anterior/posterior, rotational
Varied movement types in herd ideal
Be sure to evaluate in all gaits (walk-trot-canter)
Physical needs/Ability
Special care needs (supplements, special shoes, joint injections,
etc.)
Do they eat hay or need more?
Living conditions (stall 24/7 vs pasture)
How much weight can horse carry
Horses previous job?
Program needs
Do you serve kids, adults, both?
What kind of disabilities do you serve?
What kind of horses do you currently have?
- Do you wish for a certain kind of horse/
Testing prospective horses
Usually 30-60 days
Test them with everything
,Take them through ramp
Teach them to withstand wiggling and other client needs
Do you have tack that fits horse?
Tack choices
Any tack and grooming should be in good repair, fit horse and
rider, be safe and could be used from any discipline
- DO NOT tie rider to horse in any way
Making choice of tack
Does participant have a preference of discipline
What style is best suited for riders and goals?
Will adaptations be needed for equipment to be used
successfully?
Does tack fit both rider and horse?
Tack for horse
Each program will have preference for tack horses will wear
Types of bit/bridles, leg wraps, saddle pads, girths are particular
to have for horse and training wise
Type of saddle may reflect teaching style or rider needs, horses
do not care as long as its comfortable
Adaptations to tack
Adaptations could be made to any tack which could allow more
independence for rider
Various textures/types of reins, seat savers, handhold or even
safety stirrups
, Safety could be adaptations
Adapted tack could be purchased or made by saddle maker
Safety adaptations
Straps to hold stirrups in place, quick release stirrups, tapaderos
or other stirrups to help foot placement
DO NOT tie to horse
Bareback pad
rider is closer to the horse and its movement
Requires more balance and works on core strength
Sursingle
Used with western or vaulting pad, closeness to horse but allows
for support
English saddle
Promotes 2 point, bent knees
DRESSAGE: promotes vertical position, long legs
ALL PURPOSE: allows to switch between flat work and
forward work
SOLUTIONS
Horse considerations
Temperment
Age
Teachability
Movement
Physical and athletic ability
What you need as a program
Testing prospective TR horse
Temperament
quiet vs busy minded
liable to spook easily
do they appreciate human contact or tolerate it?
in your pocket or not paying attention
BOTH ON THE GROUND AND IN THE SADDLE
Age
ideal (15-20)
How young is too young? (under 5) How old is too old? (over
25)
Teen horses are...
- reliable
- fairly young with energy
- able to work longer
,7-15 years
SHOULD NOT BE DECIDING FACTOR
Teachability
Horses open mindedness to new situations
Horse who picks things up quickly, then they may be best
TOLERANCE: at what point is the breaking point
Movement
Lateral, anterior/posterior, rotational
Varied movement types in herd ideal
Be sure to evaluate in all gaits (walk-trot-canter)
Physical needs/Ability
Special care needs (supplements, special shoes, joint injections,
etc.)
Do they eat hay or need more?
Living conditions (stall 24/7 vs pasture)
How much weight can horse carry
Horses previous job?
Program needs
Do you serve kids, adults, both?
What kind of disabilities do you serve?
What kind of horses do you currently have?
- Do you wish for a certain kind of horse/
Testing prospective horses
Usually 30-60 days
Test them with everything
,Take them through ramp
Teach them to withstand wiggling and other client needs
Do you have tack that fits horse?
Tack choices
Any tack and grooming should be in good repair, fit horse and
rider, be safe and could be used from any discipline
- DO NOT tie rider to horse in any way
Making choice of tack
Does participant have a preference of discipline
What style is best suited for riders and goals?
Will adaptations be needed for equipment to be used
successfully?
Does tack fit both rider and horse?
Tack for horse
Each program will have preference for tack horses will wear
Types of bit/bridles, leg wraps, saddle pads, girths are particular
to have for horse and training wise
Type of saddle may reflect teaching style or rider needs, horses
do not care as long as its comfortable
Adaptations to tack
Adaptations could be made to any tack which could allow more
independence for rider
Various textures/types of reins, seat savers, handhold or even
safety stirrups
, Safety could be adaptations
Adapted tack could be purchased or made by saddle maker
Safety adaptations
Straps to hold stirrups in place, quick release stirrups, tapaderos
or other stirrups to help foot placement
DO NOT tie to horse
Bareback pad
rider is closer to the horse and its movement
Requires more balance and works on core strength
Sursingle
Used with western or vaulting pad, closeness to horse but allows
for support
English saddle
Promotes 2 point, bent knees
DRESSAGE: promotes vertical position, long legs
ALL PURPOSE: allows to switch between flat work and
forward work
