| EQUESTRIAN VOLUNTEERS HORSE HANDLERS & SIDE WALKERS Commitment - ideally 10 weeks of practice, one day of area show and the two days of the state show |
The horses and athletes both do so much better working with the same people over and over. It builds trust and confidence in both. Neither like
change and to practice with one set of people then go into competition with another can be very unsettling. This way too the support team for the
athlete will understand the athlete and know how to appropriately support him/her.
IDEALLY we would like people to volunteer that have a nice settled horse that would serve an athlete. We would ask that the horse
provider serve as the horse handler since they already have a relationship. A horse handler will be responsible for controlling the horse on a lead
line - but not necessarily 'leading' it.
If you have horse background but no horse we still need you. There are already horses in the program that need a handler. You and
the horse will be introduced and form a team during the practices. During the practices you will be taught what is expected of the horse handler
and introduced to the rules of the events your athlete will enter in.
If you don't have horse background but this sounds like fun, we would like to have you. We can provide basic training for either
of these volunteer positions.
Side walking is another volunteer position that is in the horse's space. One or sometimes two people will walk along side the horse and rider. The
job is to keep an eye on the athlete for balance problem or any unexpected situation like a seizure or a horse going stupid. Their responsibility is
to provide immediate support and aid to the athlete. The handler is responsible for the horse.
Both the job of Horse Handler and Side Walker require the person to be in close proximity of the horse, to be on their feet and walking for long
periods of time and be in the sun.
We do take people who have no horse experience but may require you to attend a short education program with the Equestrian Advisor or other
designee to gain understanding of horse behavior and what you need to know to safely interact with the horses.
SCHEDULING PRACTICES This is done so that a certified coach can be present in order for the practice to count toward competition preparation.
change and to practice with one set of people then go into competition with another can be very unsettling. This way too the support team for the
athlete will understand the athlete and know how to appropriately support him/her.
IDEALLY we would like people to volunteer that have a nice settled horse that would serve an athlete. We would ask that the horse
provider serve as the horse handler since they already have a relationship. A horse handler will be responsible for controlling the horse on a lead
line - but not necessarily 'leading' it.
If you have horse background but no horse we still need you. There are already horses in the program that need a handler. You and
the horse will be introduced and form a team during the practices. During the practices you will be taught what is expected of the horse handler
and introduced to the rules of the events your athlete will enter in.
If you don't have horse background but this sounds like fun, we would like to have you. We can provide basic training for either
of these volunteer positions.
Side walking is another volunteer position that is in the horse's space. One or sometimes two people will walk along side the horse and rider. The
job is to keep an eye on the athlete for balance problem or any unexpected situation like a seizure or a horse going stupid. Their responsibility is
to provide immediate support and aid to the athlete. The handler is responsible for the horse.
Both the job of Horse Handler and Side Walker require the person to be in close proximity of the horse, to be on their feet and walking for long
periods of time and be in the sun.
We do take people who have no horse experience but may require you to attend a short education program with the Equestrian Advisor or other
designee to gain understanding of horse behavior and what you need to know to safely interact with the horses.
SCHEDULING PRACTICES This is done so that a certified coach can be present in order for the practice to count toward competition preparation.
HORSE HANDLER
This person is responsible for walking with the horse and holding a
lead line. He/she will not influence how the horse goes - that is left
to the rider. He/she is there as a safety factor should something
upset the horse and it demonstrate behavior hazardous to the
athlete.
The handler is responsible for the horse. If there are side walkers
with the athlete they will be responsible for the athlete. If the rider is
not accompanied by side walkers the judge and ring steward will be
first responders. Other support will be allowed in the arena to tend
to the athlete.
The handler is to walk at a predetermined spot beside the horse
and allow appropriate slack in the lead line so the judge can gauge
the rider's participation in the ride and how he/she influences the
horse's actions in the event.
The photos show the position of the horse handler as they
participate in events with and without obstacles. For discussion
purposes we use the term obstacles for trail and the gymkhana
events.
This person is responsible for walking with the horse and holding a
lead line. He/she will not influence how the horse goes - that is left
to the rider. He/she is there as a safety factor should something
upset the horse and it demonstrate behavior hazardous to the
athlete.
The handler is responsible for the horse. If there are side walkers
with the athlete they will be responsible for the athlete. If the rider is
not accompanied by side walkers the judge and ring steward will be
first responders. Other support will be allowed in the arena to tend
to the athlete.
The handler is to walk at a predetermined spot beside the horse
and allow appropriate slack in the lead line so the judge can gauge
the rider's participation in the ride and how he/she influences the
horse's actions in the event.
The photos show the position of the horse handler as they
participate in events with and without obstacles. For discussion
purposes we use the term obstacles for trail and the gymkhana
events.
SIDE WALKERS These people walk beside the athlete. It depends
on the condition of the athlete as to whether or not they will have
hands on as they come in the arena and perform. This is
determined before the athlete enters the arena.
If hands on are needed, they must be in an approved position
(photos show approved holds) and they must remain there for the
entire ride. The rider's score will be penalized for hands going on
and off the athlete.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY you do whatever you need to in order to
insure the safety of the athlete.
on the condition of the athlete as to whether or not they will have
hands on as they come in the arena and perform. This is
determined before the athlete enters the arena.
If hands on are needed, they must be in an approved position
(photos show approved holds) and they must remain there for the
entire ride. The rider's score will be penalized for hands going on
and off the athlete.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY you do whatever you need to in order to
insure the safety of the athlete.
COACHES National rules say that you cannot be in the arena with athletes you coach.
In the interest of safety, we encourage you to work among yourselves and go in with an athlete you do not coach if it will enhance the safety of that
ride. You can serve as a side walker for the individual and will be in a good spot should something go wrong. Make these arrangements prior to the
show and things should run smoothly the day of competition.
GUIDES Since the athletes have a problem with short term memory which affects the ability to perform pattern work, we allow guides in the arena to
simply point the athlete to the next obstacle. Guides are for direction from point A to point B and not to tell the athlete how to work the obstacle.
You may use people of your choosing for this task or ask show personnel for help.
In the interest of safety, we encourage you to work among yourselves and go in with an athlete you do not coach if it will enhance the safety of that
ride. You can serve as a side walker for the individual and will be in a good spot should something go wrong. Make these arrangements prior to the
show and things should run smoothly the day of competition.
GUIDES Since the athletes have a problem with short term memory which affects the ability to perform pattern work, we allow guides in the arena to
simply point the athlete to the next obstacle. Guides are for direction from point A to point B and not to tell the athlete how to work the obstacle.
You may use people of your choosing for this task or ask show personnel for help.
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