Training of Horses for Horse Boy Method

I have had the pleasure of working with Bianca Rimbach to prepare horses at the United States Air Force Academy Equestrian Center to participate in the Horse Boy aspect of the Warrior Wellness Program with the Remount Foundation.

We have been doing Sensory Work training with a Percheron cross mare, McKenzie, and a Gypsy Shire gelding, Frankie. Most of our practice sessions have been with wounded warrior participants in the Warrior Wellness Program and the feedback has been tremendously positive. The horses have done exceptionally well, particularly McKenzie seems to enjoy the sensory work sessions very much. Frankie is doing well but needs additional practice.

Bianca and I have also long lined my 19 year old Paint gelding, Paladin, quite a few times, as well as McKenzie and a Palomino gelding, Kip. Paladin is doing very well with the long lining and has also done quite well with the long lining with people on his back. McKenzie and Kip both have very solid personalities and have done well with our beginning work with them on the long lines. All three horses – Paladin, McKenzie, and Kip – have done very well with back riding. We plan to get Frankie started on the long lines very soon.

Bianca has also begun applying HB methodology and working individually with a warrior (B.V.) that was already in the Warrior Wellness Program. B.V. has an interest in moving forward with improving his riding skills and learning to jump, however, because of a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress, I had noted that B.V.’s responses to the horses and riding are very interesting and similar in ways to autistic children. Bianca is also doing a case study on B.V.

All in all, the process has been fun and it is nice to see how the horses enjoy the work!! If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact me, Jeanne Springer, at 719-963-5903.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Springer
Program Director/Co-founder
Remount Foundation

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