Horses
The Ideal WindWalkers Horse
The ideal WindWalkers horse is between the ages of 7 and 18 and between 14 to 15.5 hands tall. He or she has a quiet, gentle manner. We require that the horse have moderate to significant training. He or she should also be comfortable in indoor and outdoor arenas and on trails. The horse needs to be easy to catch and lead, comfortable with multiple people around them and not likely to spook or pull back.
Our horses are asked to walk and trot regularly and to canter occasionally, therefore we need horses that are sound without significant chronic medical conditions. Should the horse have a medical condition, it must respond to treatment allowing the horse to be sound. The horse should be physically fit and able (or work up to being able) to working up to 4 days per week, 3 sessions per day. If you have a horse you would like to donate to our program, please call us at 970-963-2909.
Horse Selection Process
Prior to accepting a horse for trial as a therapeutic riding horse, WindWalkers will take the following steps:
Step 1: A phone interview with the owner to discuss the horse’s abilities, personality, training and soundness. At this time, we will notify the owner of our process. The phone interview can be done by any WindWalkers staff person with follow-up as necessary by the Equine Specialist. Staff will complete the phone interview form and it will become part of the horse’s permanent record.
Step 2: A WindWalkers team (not less than two people, of which one is a WWs staff person) will do an off-site visit to evaluate and ride the horse. The owner will be given a WindWalkers information packet and a copy of the trial period agreement. Staff will complete the off-site evaluation form for the horse’s record.
Step 3: Good candidates for the program will need to have a Vet soundness check (at the owner’s expense). If the horse passes the Vet check, a current Coggins test (within six-months) will be required prior to the horse coming onto Cedar Ridge Ranch. Additionally, the horse’s hooves need to be in good condition, preferably having seen a farrier in the past 30 days. If farrier work is required prior to our trying the horse for the program, the owner will be responsible for that expense.
Step 4: The horse will come to WindWalkers for a 45 to 60 day trial. Staff will complete the Trial Horse Evaluation Forms.
During the trial period, the horse will be given no less than 5 days to settle into our facility and routines. There will be no riding during this period. Grooming and walking by the Equine Staff is okay. The horse will begin working with our Equine Staff. At this point the horse begins the trial evaluation; this will include riding, exposure to the arena, games and activities. The horse will work exclusively with the Equine Staff until the Equine Staff approves the horse for use by any staff person. When the horse is ready for use by the staff, the Equine Staff will make a note on the horse information white board. The Staff (Equine and Instructors) will work with the horse. After each session with the trial horse, the staff will complete an evaluation form. When no less than two of the Staff have signed off that the horse is ready to work with clients, the horse will be approved for use with select clients.
Finally, under the supervision of the WWs staff, general clients will begin riding the horse.
At anytime during the trial period, should the horse be determined to be ill suited to therapeutic riding, he or she will be returned to the owner. By the end of the trial period, a determination will be made about the long term suitability of the horse for WindWalkers. Horses that are accepted, will have the necessary paperwork completed (lease or donation agreement). Horses that are not appropriate for WindWalkers will be returned to their owner.
Please see the following forms for additional information:
Phone Interview form
Off-Site Evaluation form
Trial Evaluation form
Horse Lease Agreement – Trial Period