Red-Tar SpiritHorse
Therapy Riding Center
Volunteer Manual
John Reddicks
860-985-9389
john@redtarfarm.net
Wendy Tariff
860-983-8293
wendy@redtarfarm.net
Contents
Introduction and Welcome...........................................................................................3
Therapy Riding - The Basics.......................................................................................4
Therapy Riding at Red-Tar SpiritHorse.......................................................................5
Volunteer Job Descriptions..........................................................................................6
How to Side Walk........................................................................................................7
How to Lead the Therapy Horse..................................................................................8
Safety Rules.................................................................................................................9
Emergency Procedures..............................................................................................10
The Therapy Horse.....................................................................................................11
The Rider....................................................................................................................12
Forms....................................................................................................................13-16
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Welcome!
Thank you for taking the time to find out about volunteering at Red-Tar SpiritHorse TRC.
Our program could not exist without you, the volunteer, and you are an important part of
all that we achieve.
Take a good look at your own skills and more importantly, your schedule. While there is
always something to do at the barn, it is our goal to have the same volunteers work at
the same time with the same riders. This provides continuity for the riders, and also
allows you, the volunteer, to learn and make progress at the same time the rider does.
There are many ways that you can help Red-Tar SpiritHorse TRC. If you have web
development skills, or accounting skills, photography skills, or carpentry skills, or just
love to be around horses, your talents are valuable. The following are some things we
need from our volunteers:
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Sidewalkers
Horse Leaders
Horse Care (grooming and possibly exercise riding)
Barn chores (feeding, cleaning stalls, tack,)
Trails (removing sticks, rocks and other obstacles from our trails)
Administrative help with grant writing, financial planning, letter writing
Webmaster
Anything else that you can think of! As long as it helps our riders and makes life good
for our animals we are open to it.
While our barn is casual and low key, the rules that we do have are usually safetyoriented, and it is important that they be followed exactly. In this way we will all have a
safe and fun experience.
Again, thanks for having a big heart and the desire to help others.
“You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give”
-Winston Churchill-
Wendy & John
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Therapy Riding - The Basics
In 1952, Madame Liz Hartel of Denmark who had rehabilitated herself from a
wheelchair to horseback, won the silver medal for Grand Prix Dressage at the Helsinki
Olympics. This is one of the first known instances of a person receiving therapeutic
benefits from riding a horse, although the horse/human connection has been the subject
of history and myth forever.
There are two main benefits of therapy riding which exist in parallel: the first is that the
experience of sitting on a moving horse does something to the brain which can make
changes in a rider’s central nervous system. These changes, whether extreme or very
subtle, have been documented by scientists, physicians, writers and filmmakers in many
different instances. You, the volunteer, would probably not be here if you didn’t in some
way believe that horses have a positive impact on all those who involve themselves with
them. Second, the tasks surrounding the experience of riding help all people to achieve
an increased sense of responsibility, empathy for others, better skill at following
directions, increased core strength and balance, and many other related things.
Simply put, it is our job to get riders on a horse, in a safe and therapeutically beneficial
way. This will differ from rider to rider, as well as the speed with which a rider can move
forward from task to task.
PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International, formerly
NARHA , is the most well-known association for therapeutic riding. Red- Tar
SpiritHorse’s parent company, SpiritHorse International, is another. More information
can be found on their respective web sites www.pathintl.org, and
www.spirithorsetherapy.com.
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Therapy Riding at Red-Tar SpiritHorse
We combine the practices of SpiritHorse International and PATH International, to
provide an experience that will be best suited to our riders and also our community.
• All lessons will be private lessons
• Family/caregivers are encouraged to participate as sidewalkers but it is not mandatory
• We will develop each rider’s lesson plan with input from family, teachers, doctors, as
well as building on previous lessons
• Horse care will be a part of every lesson to the degree that the rider’s disability will
allow
• All lessons will include work first on the trails and then in the ring as time allows.
• A rider’s desire to move forward in their lesson does not mean that they are ready, the
final decision must come from Wendy or John.
If you are wondering what to do think of these three things in this order:
1. Is it safe?
2. Does it benefit the rider first?
3. Is it in the rider’s best interest, rather than mine or the center’s?
The sessions will differ for each rider, but there will also be some things in common.
The rider will help to get the horse ready; this task teaches sequencing, following
directions, responsibility, and empathy with the horse. The rider will feel the movement
of the horse; this strengthens core muscles, improves balance, and stimulates the brain.
The rider will dismount and put away the saddle and bridle; this imparts a feeling of
completion and achievement.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions; that will help you learn.
Don’t push yourself, or do anything you don’t feel ready for.
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Volunteer Job Description
Horse Leader: Completely in charge of the horse once the rider is ready to mount. The
horse leader does not normally have interaction with the rider, but must concentrate on
keeping the horse calm, steady, and at an even gait. The leader will bring the horse to
the mounting block and “head” the horse off (stand in front to keep the horse still while
mounting). Then when the rider is on the horse and is secure, the leader will lead the
horse. The instructor tells the leader where they will be going and what types of games
they will be doing that day. If the instructor allows, the leader may choose directions and
patterns in the riding ring.
Side Walker: Assists the rider with mounting, balance while on the horse, and
dismounting. There should be minimal interaction with the rider, since the rider should
be paying close attention to the instructor.
Horse Caregiver: Assists with horse maintenance (feeding, grooming, picking hooves,
exercising). This can be done on days when there are no lessons also.
Administrative Help: Assists with paperwork, website, and scheduling. Can also be done
from home.
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How to Side Walk
The first and foremost goal for the sidewalker is SAFETY. You will provide balance and
transfer help to the riders. Some riders may need a great deal of help with this and
others might only need you to be a “spotter”. Coming to the farm at the same time each
week will give you the bonus of getting to know the riders you walk with, and you will
soon be able to feel how much or how little support they need. This can change with
every lesson. For example someone with hypertonic muscles (not flexible, little stretch)
will need more help and support at the beginning of their lesson. Towards the end of
their lesson as their muscles warm up and stretch out, they require less help and
support. The instructor will tell you at the beginning and throughout the lesson what type
of support each rider needs at any given moment.
The following are different ways that a sidewalker helps his/her rider:
• Heel/Ankle hold: hand placed lightly on the back of rider’s heel or ankle. This has the
least amount of support for the rider; it keeps your hand in a ready position if you need
to steady the rider or help to keep their heels down.
• Heel and shin: one hand is behind the rider’s heel and the other is on the front of the
leg, on the shinbone. This provides a little more security and a stretch to the leg.
• Arm over thigh hold: Using the arm closest to the horse, the hand is placed on the
pommel or horn of the saddle, allowing the fleshy part of the forearm to rest on the
rider’s thigh. This provides the most support and is very secure when done on each
side. Be careful that you don’t dig your elbow into the rider’s thigh.
• Transfer belt: This is a belt that is fastened around the rider’s waist with velcro. It has
loops in the front, back and on each side. A side walker may be asked to hold on to
these loops but should be careful not to pull on it, just provide a stabilizing hand.
If your arm gets tired, ask the leader to stop the horse so you can switch sides. Please
be mindful that this time is for our riders, and it is not a time to socialize with your fellow
volunteers. Keep talking to a minimum.
THERE ARE NO CELL PHONES ALLOWED DURING LESSONS. KEEP THEM IN
THE BARN. THEY CAN MAKE NOISE AND CAUSE THE HORSES AND RIDERS TO
BECOME DISTRACTED OR NERVOUS.
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How to Lead the Therapy Horse
This is one of the most challenging duties in the entire program. The leader must first
and foremost consider the horse, but must also be aware of the side walkers so there is
enough room for them to pass along with the horse and rider. The leader does not talk
with the rider or the sidewalkers in most cases.
The leader brings the horse to the mounting block and then stands directly in front of it,
holding the reins on both sides of the bit. This is called heading off the horse and keeps
the horse still while the instructor and side walkers get the rider on. The leader waits
until the instructor gives the OK before walking the horse away from the block.
The leader should walk by the horse’s left shoulder in most cases. You are not pulling or
pushing on the horse, you should be there merely to guide the horse. If you are ahead
of the horse you can’t see what the horse is doing. If a horse doesn’t want to move, use
short tugs on the lead rope instead of getting out in front and pulling. If a horse wants to
put its head down and eat grass, putting a foot in front of the horse’s nose will make
them pick it back up.
You are the example for the way we want our riders to handle the horses when they
work with them, so be kind and affectionate to the horse, and NEVER yell, kick or hit the
horse for any reason.
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Safety Rules
1. No smoking in or around the barn
2. Volunteers working with horses or riders must wear long pants and closed-toe shoes
3. The horse leader gets the horse from the paddock and then gives it to the rider at the
designated spot,only if the instructor is present
4. Anyone who is riding must have a properly fitting riding helmet. If the rider is unable
or unwilling to wear a helmet then a Helmet Liability form must be signed
5. A rider must not go into the barn without a volunteer or instructor
6. Never leave the rider unattended with the horse for any reason once the lesson has
started. If you have to leave to get equipment or for any reason, get someone else to
come over before you leave
7. Learn where the fire extinguishers and the first-aid kit are located
8. Know where the emergency sheet is located
9. Never leave a horse unattended when it is tied up
10.
If you’re not sure about how to do something, PLEASE ASK. We would rather
answer a question many times than deal with an accident due to a malfunction
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Emergency Procedures
Horse Accident or Injury: Tell Wendy or John immediately. If they are not nearby, use
the emergency sheet on the wall to call the vet. Do not try to touch or move the horse in
any way, as you don’t know what might be wrong.
Person Accident or Injury: Tell Wendy or John immediately. If they are not nearby, do
not move or touch the person if they are unable to move on their own. Go to the
emergency sheet and dial 911 on the phone. Follow the emergency personnel’s
instructions.
Premises Emergency (Fire, Weather): If you are working with a horse inside the barn,
let it loose. It will find a safe place to stand. If you have any equipment try to get it off the
ground, but don’t waste time putting it in its proper place. Exit the barn and go to the
area where the cars are parked and await further instructions.
Weather Emergency: We will cancel lessons if Stafford Public Schools has cancelled
classes. If in doubt, please check the website.
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The Therapy Horse
Not all horses are suitable for therapy. A therapy horse must be very patient and calm. It
endures riders who may be off-balance, slapping, biting, making strange noises, or
crying. Toys of different shapes, sizes and colors are often thrown at it for its rider to
catch. As a flight animal, the horse in a therapeutic program must conquer its instinctive
urge to run from anything new or strange.
Our horses work with us and trust us. We must repay this trust by treating them with
great respect and kindness. We thank our horses after each ride, and ask our riders to
do the same. Often they gets hugs, too! We give them treats, but only with the
instructor’s permission, so they don’t get too fat.
Therapy horses need to offset the repetitive hard work of the therapy program. This is
done by taking them on walks to graze some long grass outside the pasture, freelonging them, or taking them out on the trails for a run. Experienced volunteers may be
able to help us with this.
The horse’s feet are the foundation for everything he does. We must inspect the hoof
and foot before and after each session, making sure the hoof is clean and free of mud,
debris and especially stones.
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The Rider
Red-Tar SpiritHorse TRC will accept riders of any age and disability as long as they
have been medically cleared to ride. Disabilities may be mental, physical or emotional.
You will learn about the specific disabilities of the riders we serve during our orientation
session at the farm. When you start working with a new rider, we will meet briefly before
their first lesson to talk about their disability, goals for the lesson and after each lesson
you will give the instructor any feedback you may have. Sometimes sidewalkers notice
things that the instructor did not. Paying attention to your rider will not only make you a
better volunteer, but it will help the rider to get the most out of each session.
One of the most important things to remember is that all that we learn about our riders’
disabilities is confidential information and you may not disclose the details you learn
about them to people outside the program. If you take pictures or write about your
experiences you may refer to the riders with first name only.
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Volunteer/Staff Information Form and Health History
Name______________________________________ Date______________________
Address_______________________________________________________________
Employer/School________________________________________________________
Work Address__________________________________________________________
Date of Birth_________________ Phone (H)________________ (W)_______________
Parent/Guardian Name & Address (if under 18)
______________________________________________________________________
How Did you Learn About the Program?______________________________________
Health History
Please describe your current health status particularly regarding the physical/emotional
demands of working in a therapeutic riding program. Address fitness, cardiac,
respiratory, bone or joint function, recent hospitalizations/surgeries, or lifestyle changes.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Allergies: _____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Medications: __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Check which areas you are interested in:
___Horse Leader
___Horse Care
___Sidewalking
___Fundraising
___Website
___Administration
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I, __________________________________________understand that the information I
have provided on the previous page is accurate to the best of my knowledge. I know of
no reason why I should not participate in this center’s program.
Signature_____________________________________Date__________________
Witness:____________________________________
center staff
Photo Release
____ I DO
____ I DO NOT
consent to the and authorize the use and reproduction by Red-Tar SpiritHorse Therapy
Riding Center of any and all photographs and any other audio/visual materials taken of
me for promotional material, educational activities, exhibitions, or for any other use for
the benefit of the program.
Signature_______________________________ Date__________________________
Background Information
Have you ever been charged with or convicted of a crime? Y N Please explain_____
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
I, ___________________________________authorize Red-Tar SpiritHorse Therapy
Riding Center to receive information from any law enforcement agency, including police
departments and sheriff’s departments, of this state or any other state or federal
government, to the extent permitted by state and federal law, pertaining to any
convictions I may have had for violations of state or federal criminal laws, including but
not limited to convictions for crimes committed upon children.
I understand that such access is for the purpose of considering my application as a
volunteer and that I expressly DO NOT authorize Red-Tar SpiritHorse Therapy Riding
Center, its directors, officers, employees or other volunteers to disseminate this
information in any way to any other individual, group, agency, organization or
corporation.
Signature_______________________________________ Date __________________
Current Drivers License Y N LIcense # _______________________State __________
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Confidentiality Agreement
I understand that all information (written and verbal) about participants at Red-Tar
SpiritHorse Therapy Riding Center is confidential and will not be shared with anyone
without the express written consent of the participant and their parent/guardian in the
case of a minor.
Signed___________________________________ Date _____________________
Authorization for Emergency Medical Treatment
Name:____________________________________DOB:______________________
Address:_____________________________________________________________
Physician’s Name:_____________________________________________________
Preferred Medical Facility:_______________________________________________
Allergies to Medication__________________________________________________
Current Medications____________________________________________________
Emergency Contact
Name_______________________Relation________________Phone_____________
Name_______________________Relation________________Phone_____________
In the event emergency medical aid/treatment is required due to illness or injury during
the process of receiving services or while being on the property of the center, I
authorize Red-Tar SpiritHorse Therapy Riding Center to:
1.
Secure and retain medical treatment and transportation if needed.
2.
Release records upon request to the authorized individual or agency involved in
the medical emergency treatment.
Consent Plan
This authorization includes x-ray, surgery, hospitalization, medication and any treatment
deemed “life saving” by the physician. This provision will only be invoked if the person
or persons above is unable to be reached.
Date___________________ Consent Signature______________________________
Witness______________________________________________________________
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Non-Consent Plan
I do not give my consent for emergency medical treatment /aid in the case of illness or
injury during the process of receiving services or while being on the property of the
center. In the even emergency treatment/aid is required, I wish the following procedures
to take place:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Date________________________Consent Signature___________________________
Witness_______________________________________________________________
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