“It’s great for our clients to be on dif- ferent types of horses and learn about breeds, but often the Warmbloods are too big [for therapeutic riding].”
He’s been out and about, and the more the better. He’s
been trailered to shows, gone on the trails and easily adjust- ed to changes in his life and living style. He would have to be comfortable with a rider traveling up a ramp in a wheel- chair with a helper on either side to help the rider mount. “That’s claustrophobic to some and counterintuitive to their nature. Some can’t be trained to it,” Maxine warns. At 18, he’s still in the running, though just by a hair. The
program has oldies at work, some in their late twenties, but they’ve been working there for some time. “Age is relative, but age matters. A seven-year-old or
under is too young. A horse over 20 would have to be in exceptional physical condition. To take a horse over 20 is compromising the program because more than likely they will start needing something. Not to say a ten-year- old won’t, but the older horses are the core of what we do and we don’t want to compromise their health. Can I af- ford hock injections? No. At that point they will be retired. Some go to volunteers to do light trail riding. Some retire to my house. Some go back to their former owners to re- tire,” she says. Shying or excessive nervousness are not acceptable
traits for this job. Some horses don’t like the pieces of therapeutic riding that they haven’t had to deal with be- fore in their life. For example, the confusion of a person leading them while a rider gives them cues is not a favor- ite with some horses, nor is having up to fi ve people sur- rounding them (a therapist, instructor, horse handler and sidewalkers). Games are another. Exercises may include a child throwing a ball or whirling a hula-hoop or shooting baskets from on board, which is too much to handle for some horses. Or the horse may need to stand quietly and square, not just for a halt down centerline but a long time. They’ll also need to accept unbalanced, uncontrollable
and unpredictable movements from their riders, as well as screams of exhilaration or fear. I’m thinking that my horse could deal with the people, games and the unexpected. But as a sport horse he’s built uphill. Horses that tend to
throw their heads up are diffi cult for a handicapped rider who may lose his balance and fall forward. A horse built up- hill may have his head and neck in the wrong place during those times of unbalance. “Also an upright, animated horse is intimidating for volunteers and riders,” says Maxine. And he’s 16.1. That’s tall in this world. That’s why Warm-
bloods aren’t ideal for therapeutic riding programs. “It’s great for our clients to be on diff erent types of horses and
learn about breeds, but often the Warmbloods are too big. Our side walkers have to support the rider and a tall horse doesn’t work,” she continues. Maybe therapeutic riding would work for another Warmblood, but I still wasn’t fi nding my answer there.
DONATE FOR A CAUSE The University of California at Davis accepts donated hors- es for two programs. One is the lesson program for stu- dents. These horses, which need to be sound, also serve as UC Davis intercollegiate team horses. The other is in the Center for Equine Health, part of the Veterinary School, which welcomes donated horses to use in reproduction, vaccination or other research projects, including terminal studies. The donor has no choice or control over which program the horse ends up in.
Blood donor is
A horse donating blood at Plasvacc USA.
an interesting pos- sibility. Plasvacc USA in Templeton, California, supplies equine plasma and blood com- ponents used to supplement im- mune systems in horses. It’s actually a pretty posh life. Donated horses live in herds on 200 acres of cross- fenced pastures. They are wormed, teeth are fl oated and feet are trimmed. Their job
is to once a month come into the barn, stand in stocks for fi ve to six hours with plenty of food and water and give blood. Plasvacc USA takes horses that test to be disease-
free, ages three to sixteen, with a calm, patient disposi- tion. “Donated horses become ours. If we can’t use the horse any longer, we can notify the owner who can take it back,” says Heather Alspach, Plasvacc USA business manager. This likelihood will happen when the horse’s quality of life is compromised and if its plasma no longer contains the required antibodies. In other words, if he can’t do his job, if his former owner doesn’t want him back, well, you know. My horse is a great sport about needles. However, I think he needs more human contact than what is off ered at the other end of those needles.
Warmbloods Today 35
Dr. Liz Bracken
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