Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH) a NARHA premier therapeutic riding program is currently looking for horses to add to its equine team. The program has recently expanded into a new facility and a new year-round schedule. CKRH has many requests to provide services but is currently limited in its ability to expand due to a shortage of appropriate horses. The type of horse CKRH is looking for at this time must meet a set of requirements in order to serve a specific group of participants. These horses are not only revered by their riders – they also enjoy a truly rewarding quality of life. 

CKRH is looking for horses with the following characteristics:

- Between 7-18 years of age
- Approximately 15-16 hands in height
- Walk, trot, and canter OR walk, gait sound in an arena
- Ability to comfortably carry adult weight at the canter OR gait
- Ability to walk, trot, and canter OR gait on a lunge line with a rider
- Safe for a beginner rider to ride off-lead
- Years of experience with very novice equestrians

CKRH has a process in place in order to select horses that will be safe mounts for participants as well as horses that will be happy with their new career as a therapy horse. CKRH staff receive many calls and e-mails from people wishing to lease or donate horses. First, they ask a set of questions regarding the horse’s age, height, breed, training, soundness, health, and temperament. The form with the questions may be found at www.ckrh.org/pdf/Trial%20Horse%20Screening%20Form.pdf. If the horse sounds like a good candidate, an evaluation is scheduled in which at least two CKRH staff members visit the horse at his current home, or if vaccinations are current, the horse is brought to CKRH for evaluation.

After a successful evaluation, the horse comes to CKRH on a trial lease, which may last up to 90 days. During this trial, the horse is introduced to his new job to assess whether or not he is meant to be a therapy horse. After the trial, horses that have proven themselves to be suitable therapy mounts are either free leased from or donated by their owners. 

During this entire process, much attention is given to choosing a horse that will remain healthy and content, which in turn assures a safe and beneficial ride for participants and a safe, enjoyable experience for the volunteers handling that horse.

If you know of a horse for CKRH to consider and evaluate, please go to www.ckrh.org/other.html and complete the Trail Horse Screening form and send to the CKRH Equine Manager at [email protected] or mail the form to CKRH at PO Box 13155, Lexington, KY 40511; Attn: Amanda.