How to Develop an Equine Therapy Program

Equine therapy programs are used to help assist people in overcoming emotional problems and physical disabilities. Equine therapy has been particularly successful with troubled adolescents. Young people who normally may shy away from closeness with other people can forge a successful bond with a horse. This bond can help them establish trust, respect, responsibility, empathy, and communication skills, and many other necessary traits for successful relationships with other people.

Things You'll Need

  • Horses
  • Insurance
  • Riding Instructors
  • Therapists
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Instructions

    • 1

      Volunteer at an equine therapy program. To learn about operating a successful equine therapy program, volunteer at a nearby residential treatment center or other facility that offers equine therapy. This may help you develop necessary connections when you are ready to start your own program.

    • 2

      Talk to residential treatment centers about establishing an equine therapy program on site. Many residential treatment centers have developed or are considering development of equine therapy programs to help patients with emotional needs. Also, discuss the need for equine therapy programs with therapists and doctors in your area. These people can refer patients to your program, which can help ensure long-term success of your program.

    • 3

      Decide whether to develop a therapeutic riding program or a hippotherapy program. Hippotherapy is usually done one-on-one with a professional licensed therapist and focuses on the horse's movements and activities, such as grooming, handling, riding, driving, and vaulting. It is beneficial for people with physical and emotional disabilities. A therapeutic riding program is conducted by a professional horseback riding instructor to help provide social and educational learning skills, and is usually done in a group setting with individual feedback.

    • 4

      Purchase a start-up packet from the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. (NARHA). NARHA offers accreditation to centers and a certification program for riding instructors. The start-up kit contains information about budgets, personnel, instruction certification, facilities, and insurance.

    • 5

      Network with NARHA centers in your region. The NARHA website lists all NARHA-accredited centers. Contact the centers in your area, along with your NARHA region representative, for information on how to set up a successful equine therapy program that adheres to NARHA standards.

    • 6

      Contact the IRS for information on how to set up a nonprofit organization. Most equine-therapy programs are tax-exempt 501(c)(3) programs. To set up a 501(c)(3) corporation, you must first incorporate in your state. Contact your state secretary of state's office for information on how to set up a nonprofit corporation. After you have set up your corporation, complete and file Form 1023 with the IRS.

    • 7

      Hire instructors and therapists. The NARHA website maintains a job board where you can post available positions for certified equine-therapy instructors. If you are planning on conducting a hippotherapy program, you will need to hire licensed mental health professionals. You can also accept volunteers to assist with the riding facility.

    • 8

      Find a facility to use and insure it. You will need stables, walking trails and a riding arena. You must purchase general liability insurance on your facilities in case of any accidents. The NARHA website offers discounted insurance packages through select providers.

    • 9

      Advertise your program and schedule fundraising events. Hand out fliers and business cards, put up a website and let doctors and therapists know about your program. In addition, schedule fundraisers to help pay for initial start-up costs and expenses, as well as salaries for riding instructors and therapists.