Reports to: Lead Therapist / Equine Specialist / Program Coordinator
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Job Summary:
The Horse Leader or Horse Handler plays a crucial role in hippotherapy sessions by ensuring the horse's safety, responsiveness, and behavior management throughout therapeutic activities. Working closely with therapists and side walkers, the horse leader maintains control of the horse at all times to support a safe and effective therapy environment for clients with special needs.
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Key Responsibilities:
1. Pre-Session Duties:
o Groom, tack, and prepare the therapy horse according to program standards.
o Perform safety checks on tack and equipment.
o Lead warm-up exercises with the horse before sessions begin.
2. During Session:
o Lead the horse at a consistent and appropriate pace as directed by the therapist.
o Monitor and respond to the horse's behavior and body language.
o Communicate clearly and quietly with the therapist and side walkers during sessions.
o Adjust horse movement based on verbal or non-verbal cues from the therapist (e.g., speed, direction changes, halts).
o Maintain horse's straightness and rhythm to ensure client's therapeutic goals are met.
3. Post-Session Duties:
o Cool down and untack the horse after the session.
o Check the horse for any signs of discomfort, injury, or fatigue.
o Provide water, feed, or turnout as scheduled.
o Record session details or horse notes (e.g., behavior, health concerns) in logs if required.
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Qualifications:
o Prior experience working with horses (handling, grooming, tacking).
o Basic knowledge of horse behavior and equine safety.
o Good physical fitness (able to walk, jog, and control a horse during 30-60 minute sessions).
o Calm, observant, and patient demeanor.
o Willingness to take directions from therapists and adapt as needed.
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Preferred (But Not Mandatory):
o Experience in hippotherapy or therapeutic riding programs.
o Familiarity with various tack used in therapy sessions.
o First aid for equines and humans.
o Horse handler training from PATH Intl., AHA, or other therapy-related equine organizations.
Open to non experience horse handler
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Work Environment:
o Outdoor and indoor arena settings.
o Exposure to varying weather conditions.
o Requires walking, light jogging, lifting tack, and handling horses.