Donate or Lease Your Horse
Being an equine based program, the success of SMILES relies heavily on the selection of our horses and ponies. In order to provide the best therapeutic sessions for our clients, the horses must be sound, healthy, and have a calm and patient demeanor.
Requirements:
-Between the ages of 6-16 (to ensure longevity within the program)
-Sound at the walk/trot/canter
-No underlying health issues such as: Heaves, Laminitis, EPM, etc.
-Tolerant/Calm personality
-Able to work up to 1 ½ hours a day (two 45 minute lessons) up to 6 days a week
Getting Started:
If your horse meets the above requirements and you feel they would make a great fit for therapeutic riding, the next step would be to call the office at 262-882-3470. The staff will learn more about your horse via a phone screening. If SMILES feels your horse sounds like a good candidate for the program, an onsite evaluation will be scheduled. During the evaluation, you will be asked to ride your horse for the staff to observe allowing us to learn more about your horse’s training cues and movement. Staff will then ride the horse, utilizing basic therapeutic activities your horse would encounter at SMILES.
60 Day Trial:
If the onsite evaluation is successful and both parties are comfortable, SMILES will invite your horse to begin a 60 day trial period. During the trial, your horse is slowly introduced to program props, our electric SureHands lift, wheelchairs, and the many different obstacles that makes SMILES a unique setting for any equine. Upon successful completion of the 60 day trial, the owner is able to choose either a free lease or donation option for their horse.
If you feel your horse would do well in an active therapeutic setting, please contact the office at 262-882-3470.