AHA, INC. PART IB WEBINAR

TREATMENT PRINCIPLES USING HIPPOTHERAPY- APPLICATIONS WEBINAR PREREQUISITE REQUIREMENTS

Below are the skills you are required to practice as a prerequisite for the Part I B Webinar. You will be asked to complete a self-assessment for each of the activities below. When you register for the course you will gain access to the prerequisite form.

 

1) Identify an educated equine location to learn-practice-perform the equine skills listed below.
This can be at any equine facility, including with your own horses. A therapy clinic or therapy
horses are not essential.

2) Perform basic horsemanship skills. This is intended to be an “experience” as opposed to
assessing skill mastery. If you feel the need, please have a qualified person assist you. If
possible, video your performance so that you can watch it as a part of your self-assessment.
These aspects of horsemanship will be discussed and related to therapy practice within the
context of the webinar. For additional guidance, please see the addendum(s).

  • Basic grooming of the horse in preparation for riding or for a therapy session.
    • Grooming – What is/are the purpose(s) of grooming?
    • What is the order/process of grooming?
    • Demonstrate use of a curry, hard brush, soft brush, hoof pick, mane/tail brush or comb for basic preparation of a horse for riding or work in therapy.
  • Tacking/untacking a horse (ideal is the application of a saddle and some type of surcingle).
    • Tacking/Untacking – Demonstrate proper placement of a saddle pad / surcingle; bareback pad; and saddle pad / saddle.
    • Recognize appropriate fit of a saddle for the horse.
    • Demonstrate proper method of fastening the girth and checking the appropriate tension.
    • Demonstrate putting on/taking off a halter and checking for appropriate fit.
  • Leading a horse in a halter engaging in basic school figures (i.e. circles, serpentines), transitions between halt and walk, and within a walk (lengthening/shortening stride).
    • Halter Leading – refer to the Part IA Foundations webinar power point for additional guidance.
    • Demonstrate appropriate position as a handler relative to the horse, body posture and engagement.
    • Demonstrate safe handling of the lead rope.
    • Demonstrate leading a horse at a walk in the arena including basic school figures (circles, serpentines), establishing a connection so that transitions between halt/walk, within a walk (lengthening and shortening stride) and change of speed are noticeable.
  • Tying a quick release knot.