Horse Leaders and Side Walkers in riding lessons

A typical therapeutic riding lesson has one to three volunteers and an instructor working with a rider in the horse barn and the riding arena. This therapeutic team helps the rider learn how to groom, saddle and ride a horse. Individual goals and riding plans are made at the start of the session and reviewed before each lesson. The rider may play games on horseback, maneuver around obstacles and/or develop his/her skills to learn to ride without physical support or even without a horse leader. Therapeutic riding is a way to develop confidence, balance, strength, coordination and endurance. The primary responsibility of the lesson HORSE LEADER is management of the horse and ensuring rider safety both on the ground and once mounted. The horse leader must have experience working with horses. The primary responsibility of the lesson SIDE WALKER is to support and interact with the rider. Specific horse experience is not necessary but side walkers must be comfortable around horses. Both positions require good communication skills, a willingness to work as a team and a desire to help others.