A Survey of Horse Selection, Longevity, and Retirement in Equine-Assisted Services in the United States.
Authors: Rankins Ellen M, Wickens Carissa L, McKeever Kenneth H, Malinowski Karyn
Journal: Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine-Assisted Services Horse Selection and Longevity Therapeutic riding centres across the United States employ diverse selection protocols for their equines, though standardised practices remain inconsistent: whilst initial screening and acclimation periods are near-universal, fewer than two-thirds conduct formal pre-purchase or pre-donation examinations. Rankins and colleagues surveyed PATH Intl members and affiliated organisations (n = 26,000 in Part II) to establish baseline data on selection procedures, working lifespan, and retirement practices—an area with minimal prior documentation despite the welfare implications for horses in these specialised roles. Programme horses typically work for 1–10 years, with behaviour and musculoskeletal unsoundness emerging as the primary drivers of retirement; notably, Part I data (Florida centres) identified behaviour issues as the leading cause (44%), whilst Part II responses ranked unsoundness more highly, suggesting regional or operational variation in how problems manifest or are prioritised. The findings highlight that many centres lack formal pre-acquisition veterinary evaluation or structured assessment protocols, creating potential welfare and safety gaps given that therapeutic work demands specific temperament stability and physical capability. Practitioners should advocate for standardised selection criteria—particularly formal soundness assessment and behavioural evaluation under therapeutic conditions—and establish clear documentation of each horse's working capacity throughout its lifespan to improve longevity and welfare outcomes in equine-assisted services settings.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Implement comprehensive selection protocols including initial screening, pre-purchase exams, and trial periods to identify suitable horses before committing them to EAS programs
- •Monitor behavioral and soundness issues closely throughout a horse's career, as these are the leading retirement factors and warrant early intervention strategies
- •Plan for variable working lifespans (1-10 years typical) and develop retirement protocols for horses no longer suitable for therapeutic work due to behavior or physical soundness concerns
Key Findings
- •Centers operating equine-assisted services maintain a median of 9-10 horses and ponies per facility
- •Selection procedures are standardized across EAS programs, with 96-100% implementing initial screening and 84-100% requiring acclimation periods
- •Working longevity ranges from less than one year to over 20 years, with most horses active for 1-10 years
- •Unsoundness and behavior are the primary causes of retirement, with behavior accounting for 44% of retirements in Part I and unsoundness leading in Part II