horse saddle for a para

[quarterhorse]

My husband rode horses before his injury may 2001 and we are looking for a saddle for him he is a t-10 and he did his rehab a sherpherd center, they told him about a randy bird highback saddle with velco straps that this guy rodeoed with and gave us a video and phone number but the phone has been disconected and we do not know where to find a saddle for him to try to start riding agin, he has lost his balance and we need a saddle that will help him like the one advertized. Anyone know where we can find one?

[marmalady]

Hi, Debbie,

Don't know if this will help - but, I was watching a show on TV about horses and a woman who had rescued a horse that was going to be put down; she retrained him, and get involved in the Special Olympics equestrian events; the film showed riders with all sorts of disabilities in adapted saddles. Maybe if you contacted the Special Olympics folks they could give you some leads to the equestrians who entered?
Jackie

[SCI-Nurse]

Debbie - Since you did not mention the name of the group, I will list the resources that I can offer as suggestions:
1) North American Riding for the Handicapped Association: www.harha.org (http://www.harha.org) or 800-369-ride
2) U.S. Cerebral Palsy Athletic Association: www.usdpaa.org (http://www.usdpaa.org) or 401-874-7465
3) Disabled Sports USA: 301-217-0960
4) National Center on Physical Activity and Disability: www.ncpad.org (http://www.ncpad.org) or 800-900-8086 (CT)
5) Brain Injuury Assoc: www.biausa.org (http://www.biausa.org) or 800-444-6443. I list this as riding programs have been found to be therapeutic for persons with traumatic brain injury.
6) Shake-a-Leg: shake@shakealeg or 401-849-8898. A program that is designed around therapeutic recreation for persons with SCI. I don't know that horseback riding is amongst their offerings but they may have a lead on this need
7) Wilderness Inquiry: www.wildernessinquiry.org (http://www.wildernessinquiry.org) or 800-728-0719. Lists some horseback riding programs, lists that programs are for persons of all abilities. CRF

[SCI-Nurse]

There was an error in the URL posted for the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association. Here is the correct one:

http://www.narha.org/

Also, here is info on adapted riding equipment:

http://www.freedomrider.com/

http://www.open.org/~horses88/Equipment.html

(KLD)

[Annabanana]

Debbie...email me and I'll send you Randys address. He lives in Texas. I contacted him some time back and he sent me pics of the saddle. However in my mind i felt it was dangerous being strapped into the saddle, if the horse bolts or falls you'd have no chance of falling away cleanly.

[Annabanana]

anna@easynet.net.au