C.H.U.M. Therapeutic Riding, Inc.

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Therapy Horses Our Partners, Our Patients!
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Who is the therapy horse? Where do they come
from? What sets them apart from any other
horse? How are they our patients? When will I
have time to treat the horse as well?
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The techniques and ideas here have been learned
from nearly 25 years of experience in the
therapeutic riding industry. We educate our staff
through professionals such as Linda
Tellington-Jones TTouch and T.T.E.A.M., equine
chiropractors, massage therapists, trainers, and
others whose knowledge has been especially
appreciated by our special partners in the field.
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• Who is the therapy horse?
• Not all can do this job
• Pure of gait conformation?
• Bomb proof?
• Athletic?
• Ideal versus Real!

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• Where do they come from?
• Purchase from public
• Purchase from agent
• Donations
• What can they give?
• What do they need?

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• What sets them apart from any other horses?
• More demanding career?
• The need to be perfect
• Inhibit their natural responses
• What about the demands of Hippotherapy?
• Balance, athleticism, willing

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They give love, hope, and life to dreams of
riders and families that they work with.
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• How are they our patients?
• Mentally balanced
• Physically balanced
• Older horses and imbalance
• Decrease stress and cumulative trauma
• The Do as I say, not as I do! catch.

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• When will I have time to treat the horse as well?
• Staff versus time in the day
• Training for staff and volunteers
• Part of the program for the participants
• The BIG picture for all

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• Where to start?
• Pain checks
• Balance
• Athletic ability
• Mental balancing

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• PAIN.
• Poor fit or placement of equipment
• Under/over conditioning
• Stress
• Previous/reoccurring injuries

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• PAIN.
• Obvious detection
• Hidden pain
• Know the signs
• Know the language

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• Listening hands.
• Co-treatment in a session
• TTouch and bodywork
• Massage, what you didnt think you knew!
• Invest in your horse

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TTouch
Massage Acupressure Chiropractic Touch
Healing
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• Groundwork, groundwork, groundwork!
• TTEAM techniques
• Ground poles
• Body rope
• Mazes or labyrinths
• Tarps

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Alternating ground poles help break up stiff
shoulder movement, work on balance, mental
clarity, and confidence. These will be placed
about 4 apart and can be as little as 4 on the
raised end, however, 6 to 12 would be nice when
the horse is used to them.
The star can be set up with a mounting block,
bale of straw, or other riser to lay one end of
the poles on while the other ends lie on the
ground. The horse works on balance,
concentration, and also can work the low shoulder
to the high side of the rails to help even
development.
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Mental balance.achieved! Throughout we have
discussed challenges, confidence building,
increased interest in surroundings, and being
happy in an environment as not only goals for
ourselves but our equine partners as well. Happy
and productive relationships are a balance of
physical, mental, and emotional health, horse
human relationships are no different.
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For questions or comments Bonnie DePue at
C.H.U.M. Therapeutic Riding PO Box 14 Mason,
MI 517-204-0974 bonnied_at_triton.net chumtherapy.net

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• Thank you to
• C.H.U.M. Therapeutic
• Riding, Inc., their
• riders, volunteers,
• and beloved horses
• for their assistance in
• making this
• presentation.