Hi COTH,
I am currently working with a super 8 year old who is both blind and autistic. He is unable to ride unassisted so we are currently riding double, bareback. He sits in front of me, we have 2 side walkers, and someone to lead the horse. We are working on skills such as balance, coordination and language, and he loves his riding time. As this indevidual will not be able to ride unassisted for sometime, we are looking into bareback pads that would work for 2 riders, or any other ideas on how to make this experience more safe, fun, and comfortable for all involved.
-Does anyone have experience with this type of therapeutic riding? It’s not “The Horse Boy Method” but sort of along those lines.
-Which type of equpiment/pads/etc do you suggest or use, and which ones do not seem to work well?
-Are stirrups a benefit? Can you use 1 pair or do you use 2?
-Any other ideas, thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated. We are really looking to help make this childs life brighter and for him to acquire new skills and experiences.
TIA!
Not pads, but they do make double saddles:
http://french.alibaba.com/product-tp/double-seat-saddle--126524338.html
(scroll down for more pics, including English style)
http://i00.i.aliimg.com/img/pb/953/249/108/108249953_683.jpg
http://www.cheval-argeles.com/2009-4.jpg
http://www.cheval-argeles.com/2009-1.jpg
http://www.christianphillipe.com/images/DSC01767.jpg
http://www.chevaux-haute-normandie.com/userfiles/6/Image/selle-coaching.JPG
I have never heard of riding double bareback in a therapy situation. It doesn’t sound safe to me. Why can’t he ride with two side walkers?
[QUOTE=enjoytheride;7273493]
I have never heard of riding double bareback in a therapy situation. It doesn’t sound safe to me. Why can’t he ride with two side walkers?[/QUOTE]
It’s no uncommon. When we went to a therapy center (looking to possibly donate our horse), there was a girl with minimal control of anything below her neck riding double. They explained they’re always in need of big, safe horses capable of carrying two adults.
Ever considered something like this? http://www.basketsaddles.com/ They may make you something custom.
a therapeutic vaulting sucingle (narrower with higher set handles to allow more room for the rider’s leg to hang naturally) over a vaulting pad might work. big pad to cushion the horse’s back, grips in front for either of you to grab if needed, but not too much bulk under the therapeutic rider’s legs.
Back riding is gaining popularity with the populations who can’t ride unassisted for various reasons, the family was interested in “The Horse Boy Method” but wanted to use a slightly different approach (more science/ABA based) and asked if I would be willing to work with their son, which of course I was. The surcingle idea might be worth trying, and I did send an e mail to freedom riders as well. Thanks guys! Any more ideas/tips?
I had one student with whom we did back riding. We used a massive, thick western pad secured with the vaulting surcingles suggested above. Two sidewalkers, a NARHA/PATH-certified instructor as the back-rider, horse leader, and a NARHA/PATH-certified instructor on the ground. It was important to have the set of eyes/instruction on the ground. The back-rider, even though an instructor, was not to be focused on anything other than the rider’s physical status. If you are behind the rider, can you really see the body mechanics in motion?
I’m sure you know this - but I’ll feel better if I say it. Keep a careful eye on the strength of your rider. As eager, excited student - or one who is particularly active while self-stimming - can easily push/pull you both off, regardless of how much he weighs in comparison to you.
I used to volunteer at a therapeutic riding stable, and there were a few riders that we rode double with, in addition to having a leader and a sidewalker on each side. We usually used a big thick western pad and a surcingle. Often a vaulting surcingle, but sometimes a plain one with grab straps attached.
freedomrider has a bareback pad designed for riding double: http://www.freedomrider.com/Saddle-Therapeutic-Riding-Pad-Double-Rider-Youth.html
Neither PATH, nor AHA (American Hippotherapy Association) support back riding or tandem hippotherapy (respectively) anymore due to the safety risks and additional stress on the horse. There are better ways to help riders and clients with special needs and better ways to respect our horse partners.
Agree with Karma.
