Out of 100 horses, maybe 20, maybe only 10 could work at the Eagle Mount Equestrian Center, where horses help with therapy for adults and children dealing with physical, mental and emotional challenges.
Eagle Mount Therapeutic Riding Instructor Jenny Gooldy said the work is a very intense job for a horse. The Eagle Mount horses have to tolerate having a hula hoop around their neck, or riders who are waving swimming noodles, while they are playing Star Wars. An Eagle Mount horse might be carrying an unbalanced rider or a rider who is scared, or a rider who isn’t aware that he or she is on a horse.
When Gooldy and her fellow instructor, Stephanie Richardson find the right horse, however, they know they’ve found a partner in the powerful therapy that horses can offer.
Richardson said the Eagle Mount Equestrian Center hosts a number of programs. The program most people think off is Recreation Riding, which teaches riding skills to a wide range of abilities.
