trying to place a horse in a therapeutic program

[evans36]

I am looking to rehome a 13y/o OTTB who has no health issues except kissing spines - he’s not really a riding horse, but he’s certainly pasture sound and still loving life. When I had him at a summer camp I remember he was SO good with the troubled and autistic kids that were there. I was thinking this might be a use for him.

Has anyone else done this with success with any of their horses? Does anyone know of programs I should contact? He is currently in the Charlottesville VA area but I don’t think transportation would be a problem anywhere from about Atlanta to Pennsylvania.

I have posted him on the giveaways forum, but I want to be a bit more intentional about trying to place him appropriately, since he will be put down by his current owner if I can’t find somewhere for him (I can’t afford to keep him either, unfortunately).

Thanks for the help - and if I should post this somewhere else, let me know. I wasn’t sure where this should go.

[AppendixQHLover]

I went through the process a couple of years ago. The first thing to do is look for a couple of theraputic places that are looking for horses. I know that one of them that I dealt with had a big list of potential horses. They were one of the best in CT. Mind you I am in MD. He went up there in November and in December they decided that he wasn’t going to work out. So another place picked him up for a trial. They love him. He loves his new job and is a barn favorite.

[sdlbredfan]

The kind of thereapy you need is of the mental variety rather than therapeutic riding. Many of those do not use the horses for ridiing, only for interactive purposes. Do a search ending search on equine assisted psychotherapy.

[PaintedCash]

Check out this site and search for programs http://www.eagala.org/
I had a lady last summer who wanted my Haffy for a program but I wasn’t comfortable with my mare being turned out with other horses. I was looking at more riding/hippotherapy programs.

I’d just start by e-mailing directors of programs and tell them you have a horse to donate. If they are looking, they will respond to you and try to work something out.

Good luck

[evans36]

Thank you! I was definitely talking about the psychotherapy programs without the riding component - didn’t realize this forum didn’t pertain at all to that! Thanks for the website - will start there.

I just hope I can find him someplace because I don’t think he’s ready for his life to be over, and he has some serious wisdom from his life that I think could help some folks. Thanks again!