Q: How do you pick a horse’s feet?

When grooming a horse and getting ready for classes, cleaning his or her hooves is an important task! Horses’ hooves collect mud, stones, and other debris. Leaving this stuff packed in the hoof can lead to lameness from “stone bruises” or a nasty (smelly) infection called “thrush.” If you pay regular attention to hooves, you can quickly recognize any changes or injuries that may lead to big problems.

Picking feet takes some practice, especially if you are new to working around horses. We’ve made a video to give you the basic idea, but always work with an instructor before trying it on your own.

If you’re a grooming assistant, and picking feet at TRI, don’t hesitate to ask an instructor for help! If you notice black, stinky spots around the frog—that is probably thrush, and it needs to be treated before it becomes serious. Get an instructor whenever you see something that doesn’t look right.

Q: How do the instructors determine what will be taught each week? Is there a standard curriculum by week or an overall approach that they know and update based on the classes they teach?

What may look like a simple pat on a the neck, is actually an important skill-building activity! With help from her volunteers & instructor, this rider is stretching forward to pat her horse. She will return to a neutral, upright position before… — What may look like a simple pat on a the neck, is actually an important skill-building activity! With help from her volunteers & instructor, this rider is stretching forward to pat her horse. She will return to a neutral, upright position before walking on. She’s developing awareness of her posture, while building the core strength necessary to stay in a balanced seat.

Skilled riders have the ability to move their upper & lower parts of their bodies independently from each other. Shooting hoops from horseback is a great way to experience moving arms & shoulders while keeping your seat securely in the saddl… — Skilled riders have the ability to move their upper & lower parts of their bodies independently from each other. Shooting hoops from horseback is a great way to experience moving arms & shoulders while keeping your seat securely in the saddle!

Trotting independently in the outdoor arena may seem simple on the surface, but it takes a lot of practice! This rider is staying balanced on her horse, with an excellent position. She’s communicating with her horse by using her hands, legs & vo… — Trotting independently in the outdoor arena may seem simple on the surface, but it takes a lot of practice! This rider is staying balanced on her horse, with an excellent position. She’s communicating with her horse by using her hands, legs & voice aids in coordination to deliver messages that he understands.

A: This is a GREAT question, and one that you’ll find so many different answers to across the therapeutic riding industry! The short answer is—this is difficult, and something we are always trying to improve upon:

There are so many different avenues and ways to learn with horses. And, horses are living, breathing animals with brains of their own!
Our participants come to us with a variety of different goals, interests and abilities, and in any given group lesson we may have 4 different sets of goals, abilities, and interests. With some of our recent group lesson changes, we have attempted to even out these differences to provide better instruction!
Group lessons have inherent limitations—so, we try to find common ground that ultimately builds core riding skills while accommodating the differences we encounter.

So, how does it happen?

Each lesson is based on building skills, and developing those skills by applying them to a variety of activities. We identify skills for each rider based on their long-term and short-term goals:

Participants are assessed when entering the program, and goals are identified, some examples may be:
- “I want to learn to ride independently”
- “I want to improve my balance & flexibility”
- “I want to compete in a horse show”
- “I want to improve my communication skills”
Those goals are translated into a “skill progression” for each rider, where we:
- Identify “markers” to gauge progress in the form of a skill progression, where a big goal can be broken down into small, tangible steps.
- For example if a participant’s goal is, “I want to learn to ride independently” the skill progression may be:
  - Rider can recognize when he/or she is off balance
  - Rider can make adjustments to correct his/her balance
  - Rider can use natural aids or adaptive aids to influence the horse
  - Rider can recognize safe spacing in the arena
  - Rider can make adjustments to keep safe spacing in the arena.
- A skill progression like this may take 5 lessons, or 5 years to complete, before that larger goal of “riding independently” is met.
Goals are assessed yearly & progress reports are generated. New goals may be set, or goals may be adjusted based on a participant's changing interests, abilities, or medical conditions.

Our role is to provide participants in our Adaptive Horsemanship program a safe, fun & supportive foundation in riding or groundwork. So, we attempt to build skills through activities that are fun, challenging, and are adapted to each participant's needs & preferences. For lots more detail, please click here to browse our Curriculum Guide for mounted lessons.

Q: I can’t WAIT to meet TRI’s newest horse—Sweet Pea! What is her tölt like?!

Sweet Pea gives her opinion on going work!

A: We’re just getting to know Sweet Pea, and to be honest, she’s the first Icelandic Horse any of TRI’s instructors have ridden, so its been a lot of fun to figure out her unique gaits. Most horses walk, trot & canter. Pea has two unique “extra” gaits called a “tölt” and a “flying pace.” The tölt is faster than a walk, and is very smooth to ride! In the trot, Pea’s legs move in diagonal pairs, while in the tölt, her legs move in lateral pairs. Here’s what instructor Jan V. has to say about it:

“Riding Sweet Pea has been a new experience for me and a lovely one at that! The movement for me is very comfortable and luckily for me, very therapeutic for my aging back and hips! I am having so much fun riding this little mare as she is a kind, sweet soul and has a good work ethic.”

We know our riders will LOVE riding Sweet Pea, too! Here is a video of Jan and Sweet Pea, showing the tölt.

Q: How do you pick a horse’s feet?

Q: How do the instructors determine what will be taught each week? Is there a standard curriculum by week or an overall approach that they know and update based on the classes they teach?

So, how does it happen?

Q: I can’t WAIT to meet TRI’s newest horse—Sweet Pea! What is her tölt like?!

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