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About Our Horses
Our horses are a vitally important part of the care team. We invest tremendous time and professional skills into the training of the horses. Each horse is carefully selected on the basis of size, conformation, physical movement and temperament to meet specific therapy needs. Our trainers are highly skilled professionals of the highest levels. The horses are trained for many months before they are graduated to join the therapy team. (close)
The horses’ gentle nature and the relationship that develops between the child and the horse effectively motivates children to fully engage in their therapy sessions. The selection, care, training and schooling of our horses is a core value at Mountain Valley. Horses are the most important members of our therapy team and we expect them to deliver the highest level of performance for every therapy session.
For the horses to perform at this level, we maintain a comprehensive training, schooling and conditioning program. We allow them to run free several times per week to encourage playfulness and to open their minds. They are taught to work on lunge line and in long reins to voice commands. This encourages obedience and athletic ability and strengthens the muscles in their neck, back and legs.
The horses are also schooled under saddle and on long reins once a week by experienced dressage riders to encourage suppleness and strength. They are ridden weekly on the trail to clear their minds and maintain fitness. All of this preparation, training and schooling combined with the skills of our professional horse handlers create a well-prepared, gentle horse, ready and able to perform at a high level for our therapists and patients.
