PATH (formerly NARHA) Therapeutic Riding Instructor, (riding pattern)

I have been studying and preparing to take a course and test to achieve the status as a NARHA Therapeutic Riding Instructor. Nature's Edge Therapy Center, here I work as an occupational therapist (naturesedgetherapycenter.org), I use the horse (hippotherapy) as a treatment tool to help my patients achieve their goals. Achieving this... status not only benefits me as an OT, but my patients as well.
In this video, I am performing the "riding pattern", an essential part of the examination. Huge thanks go out to Sherrie Nichols who is an amazing equestrian, has been my instructor and mentor. Special thanks also go out to Becky Lundeen (my supervisor and mentor) and Kristin Z for the use of their facilities, tack and horses and to Treasa S who helped me gain an appreciation for horses when I first began at NETC in March 2010. Thank you to all who have supported me through this journey (Especially my family, friends and Amanda R @ NETC)! Also, for the record, my only exposure to horses was 2 times during my youth, and ground experience only since April 2010 (AHA Hippotherapy Level I class). My formal riding was begun in October of 2010. I have only been riding for 5 months.
Late edition: On July 20, 2011 It became official. I received confirmation that I had passed the riding portion of the test (via video submission). I am now a Therapeutic Riding Instructor with PATH International (formerly NARHA).

Category:

Education

Tags:

• PATH
• NARHA

[nhsovacool]

Dear Roni and Barbara,

Hello! I just wanted to let you know that just today , I learned from PATH International (formerly known as NARHA) today that I passed the riding portion of the test (via video submission) . I am very thankful and grateful. I am now a Therapeutic Riding Instructor! Thank you for your support and kind words, I wish you both the very best.

[rpdesign64]

Wow, crazy week, sorry for the delayed response. Thank you so much for sharing all this information. Do you mind terribly if I ask what your score was for the riding portion?

[nhsovacool]

Hi Roni,

Actually, there isn't a numerical score, just a "pass" or "fail". Unfortunately, mine was a "fail." They did have a comment area where they could critique me.

[nhsovacool]

Continued...

Best wishes and may your ride be awesome and blessed!

[nhsovacool]

Continued... If I could have (or perhaps may have to in the future) re-done this portion at an on-site test location, I would recommend calling the center ahead of time to ask if your own Western or English tack could be used (so that it fits you well) and hopefully fits your horse too (just as important) and ask to bring spurs or crop if you are accustomed to using them. I know that based on the facility's regulations, it may be acceptable to bring your own horse as well.

[nhsovacool]

Continued...that were judging and critiquing me. I am thankful for the opportunity that I did pass the teaching portion and that I have the opportunity to send in a video of the riding portion. I am thankful that I will be able to use a saddle that will fit me, tack that will be all Western, and a horse that I am more familiar with.

[nhsovacool]

Continued... It wouldn't have been in my best interest share my concerns about the horse's personality (first horse), the difference in tack (use of both English and Western together) and the 2nd horse that I used with a saddle that was too big for my body size. Also, there may be techniques I could have used that may have helped me better if I were a more experienced rider. I realize that 5-6 months is a very short time considering the life long equestrians/NARHA instructors...

[nhsovacool]

Continued... requested a change of horse. Perhaps it was due to my frustration, my anxiety and nervousness and also my inexperience, but I had a very difficult time maintaining my balance in the saddle of this horse during a trot and lope. I had a friend videotape me during this part, and I did look much more anxious than in my earlier video post, and I made an two transition errors (turned the wrong way coming out of a lope to a trot) and completing one of the diagonal passes. (Cont)

[nhsovacool]

Continued... So I requested another horse to use. This is something that is acceptable to be done. The horse that they had tacked up and ready to go for me had a Western saddle (with English leathers and safety irons) that was, unfortunately for me, too large for me. I could place my palm down in the seat (not the cantle or the swell) in front of and behind me. I felt unsure of what to do or say, because I was the very last rider and I had already caused some lateness because I had ...

[nhsovacool]

Continued... It was my inexperience that caused me to be uncomfortable using English stirrups and leathers with the Western saddle I used. It seemed to be a very different 'feel' to not have "fenders" for the stirrups and English leathers that pinched my legs when I rode. Also, I wasn't able to get the horse to trot or lope. This may have been due to my inexperience also. I did use my voice, my seat, my legs/feet , my hands (and my crop) and I still couldn't get her to trot or lope.