Information for the Prospective Rider

Inclusion criteria:

We can accommodate 6 - 10 riders per hour in a riding group depending on the riders' disability, their ability, understanding and co-operation, as well as availability of sufficient additional instructors.

Severe cases need more assistance to start off but this can be reduced as strength and ability are created.

Difficulties Include:

• Concentration, including functional brain wave frequency selection, low muscle tone, including hand writing stimulation.
• Downs Syndrome, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, Osteoporosis, Strokes, Head injuries, Autism, Developmental Delays, ADD & ADHD.

Age considerations:

• When working with non-ambient riders (CP's) we would like to start between 18 months and 2 years of age.
• With senior citizens being able to ride as long as they are not in acute pain.

Weight considerations:

• When back-riding, the combined weight of the back-rider and client must not be more than the horse can comfortably carry.

• When riding is not practised with caution is can be dangerous, making it carry strict possible contra-indications, which need to be discussed with the potential riders doctor or our consulting doctor before riding is undertaken.
• In all riding schools falling off is an occupational hazard but since 1982 we have only had one child break a bone, and since we have been working with disabled riders we have only had one fall where the disabled rider actually made contact with the ground.

How long have we been operating?

• We started with basic novice able-bodied riding instruction in 1982, with our program being re-evaluated in 1998 to be more therapeutically based.

Contra-Indications:

Certain individuals may be excluded from riding if it can be shown that they may place themselves or those around them, in danger while riding or should there be the possibility of sustaining more than minor injuries, should they suffer a fall. Which incidentally is very unlikely given the supervision that the disabled person receives at all times.

It is the responsibility of our riding instructor or consulting doctor to accept or deny any prospective rider, the main reason for contra-indicating a rider is based on maintaining a safety code and standard. So are the riding schools facilities, equipment, animals and expertise able to serve the prospective rider safely?

• Is the prospective rider being placed in any unavoidable danger when they are put on the horse?
• This may be from a physical or a psychological point of view.
• A moderate to severe aggravated person showing signs of confusion, agitation, uncontrollable excitement and/or disruptive behaviour may be contra-indicated.
• We may also need to ask is the rider placing any strain on the horse?

The medical Contra-indications are:

• Unhealed pressure sores or wounds.
• Spinal instability , including subluxation of cervical vertebra.
• Spondylolithesis or Atlanto-axial instability.
• Severe lordosis, kyphosis, scoliosis or hemivertebra.
• Acute herniated intervertebral disk.
• Rider should wait for about 6 months before riding again after having a Rhizotomy.
• Dislocation, subluxation or dysplasia of the hip joints until the bone is fixed, only riding sideways is then permitted.
• Perthes disease or coxarthrosis.
• Osteoporosis while in the acute phases or fragile bones and osteogenesis imperfecta or brittle bones.
• Uncontrolled (by drugs) epilepsy.
• Haemophilia .
• Arthritis in the acute phase (including Stills disease).
• Multiple Sclerosis during the acute phase.

Precautions and possible additional contra-indications:

• No rider should ride while affected with any communicable disease such as hepatitis B etc.
• Hydrocephalus and the presence of a shunt.
• Incontinence.
• Allergies to horse hair, dust etc.
• Obesity.
• Diabetetes.
• Sensory deficits (unable to feel certain parts of the body).
• Certain Spina Bifida cases, including Arnold Chiari malformation (cerebellum and medulla oblongata protruding through the skull).
• Some spinal fusion's, eg. Harrington rod.
• Craniotomy (any surgical procedure on the skull).
• Peripheral vasular disease, resulting in poor circulation in the extremities.
• Recent surgery.

The circumstantial Contra-indications are:

• Riders that are too heavy for the school's horses to carry safely.
• Does the height of the horse cause apprehension in a pupil that is scared of heights or makes it difficult for side walkers to maintain safety standards.