Welcoming Charlie, The Newest Member of our Equine Therapy Team

What qualities are required to be a therapy horse? Inspired by our recent addition, Charlie, I thought maybe we’d take a look into what makes a horse suitable for this important role. Born on June 28, 2003, Charlie, a very handsome buckskin quarter horse, quickly proved his natural aptitude for therapy work during his very first session. His journey offers insights into what it takes for a horse to become a partner during the process of therapeutic work.

What Makes a Good Therapy Horse?

It's a common belief that not every horse is cut out for therapy work, needing specific traits for such sensitive roles. While there's truth to this, I believe that every horse has something to teach us, and most horses are capable of entering the world of Equine Therapy, however, some may excel in the field more than others. Here are a few of some key qualities that are necessary:

• Temperament: The horse should be calm, patient, comfortable with close human interaction and exhibit a soothing presence.
• Training and Handling: A potential therapy horse should be well-trained and easy to handle. They must respond well to commands and be adaptable to different situations and environments.
• Health and Age: The horse should be in good health and of an appropriate age. Young horses may lack the necessary calmness, while older horses should be physically capable of handling the work.
• Breed Considerations: While any breed can be a therapy horse, some, like Charlie's breed, the quarter horse, are known for their steady demeanor.
  
  

  Charlie’s First Day:

  Reflecting on Charlie's first day at Soberman's Estate, his natural ability to connect and provide comfort was evident. This is a crucial aspect of a therapy horse - the innate ability to interact in a way that is beneficial to clients. Charlie’s previous owners had told me they believed he would make a great therapy horse, and boy were they right! I could tell he would be one to excel after spending just 15 minutes with him. He was calm and quiet from the moment he was brought to the barn. Most horses might take a day or few to settle into a new environment. Not Charlie! He walked out into the arena and was comfortable, like he had been there forever. No whinny-ing, or crying out for the old friends left behind, or running his stall. He was quiet and content and walked right over to eat, easily finding and enjoying the food that was ready to welcome him.

  Charlie arrived at the Estate about 12:30, and I went back out into the arena about 2:45 (15 minutes before my 3:00 Pm session with clients) I found him still calm and relaxed. I walked him around for about 10 min, to make sure that he would be ready for his first day on the job, and I immediately felt safe with this horse, and Charlie’s first session was a huge success. The clients all fell in love with Charlie and he is a great addition to our equine therapy team. We are all so excited to be able to provide him with his “forever home” and his new purpose in life. And yes! He is one who will definitely excel in this field.

  
  

  Training A Horse for Therapy:

  Training a horse for therapy work usually involves more than just basic ground or riding skills. It includes exposure to a variety of scenarios and ensuring the horse is comfortable with different types of interactions, and most importantly, safe for the clients to interact with. There are Professional training programs for therapy horses that can provide the necessary skills. I’ve been around horses all of my life and have trained them in many different capacities, from race horse training, cattle work, to “starting colts etc… Charlie is just a “natural” and stepped into supporting clients with grace and ease, we are so proud of you Charlie!

  The Significance of Therapy Horses

  Therapy horses are more than just pets; they play an integral role in therapeutic interventions, aiding in emotional, social, and confidence development. Horses like Charlie significantly contribute to the healing process. The Equine Therapy at Soberman’s Estate is an important element in our client’s journey from addiction to recovery.

  Soberman's Estate is a residential men's addiction treatment center that provides discreet, individualized, sophisticated recovery and wellness services for adult men that want to recover from substance use disorders, and or other behavioral issues such as trauma, anxiety, depression, stress, or other addictions