Adaptive Equipment in EAT: What It Is and How It Helps

The best equipment in an equine program is calm horses, trained people, and thoughtful planning. Adaptive tools come next. They make sessions safer, more comfortable, and more effective for riders with different bodies and needs.

This article explains common equipment in plain language so you can picture how it all works together. It is educational only and does not replace medical or mental health advice.

How to Think About Adaptive Equipment

Good programs follow a simple rule: use the least support needed for safety and learning, then fade support as skills grow. Equipment should never lock someone into place or reduce the ability to move, breathe, or communicate. Every strap and buckle should be easy to check and quick to release. Fit and horse comfort matter as much as human comfort.

Getting On and Off the Horse

Most riders mount from a raised block or ramp that reduces strain on the horse’s back and the rider’s joints. Some centers use a mechanical lift for people who cannot step or stand on a block. Staff explain each step, ask for consent, and move at a steady pace.

Dismounting is planned with the same care, often with a calm pause at the end so breath and heart rate settle before stepping down.

Helmets and Clothing

A certified riding helmet is standard whenever someone is mounted. Staff check that it sits level, touches the head all around, and the chin strap is snug but comfortable.

Shoes should be closed-toe with a small heel for stirrup safety, and layers help riders adjust to temperature changes. Gloves can protect hands for riders who grip tightly or use textured reins.

Saddles, Pads, and Surcingles

Programs choose tack that supports goals while protecting the horse’s back.

• English and western saddles: familiar options that can be padded and adjusted. Western saddles offer a larger seat and a horn for balance tasks; English saddles allow closer feel of motion.
• Adaptive saddles: higher cantles or extended pommels can give temporary trunk support when someone is learning to sit upright.
• Therapy pads and sheepskin or gel liners: distribute pressure and reduce friction.
• Surcingles with handholds: a broad pad and a band around the horse’s barrel with secure handles. This setup lets therapists position the rider’s body and gives the rider a place for a light, centered hold without relying on a horn.

A quick note on safety: belts or straps that tie a rider to a saddle are not used. Riders must be able to move freely and dismount quickly if needed.

Stirrups and Foot Support

Foot position affects balance, hip comfort, and safety. Small changes here go a long way.

• Safety stirrups: designed to release the foot if a rider loses balance.
• Caged or tapadero stirrups: a covered front that helps prevent the foot from sliding through.
• Offset or wider treads: create a stable platform for riders with limited ankle movement.
• Toe stoppers and flexible joints: ease pressure on knees and hips and can reduce fatigue.

Some riders begin without stirrups to focus on trunk alignment and pelvic movement, then add stirrups as balance improves.

Reins and Handholds

Hands tell you a lot about attention and tone, so reins are adapted to match grip and communication.

• Handholds: a loop or grab strap at the front of the saddle helps in early balance work.
• Loop or ladder reins: fixed intervals to help riders find even contact.
• Split reins joined at the end, rainbow or color-marked reins: give simple visual cues for hand placement.
• Elastic inserts: soften the feel for sensitive hands.
• Adaptive grips: foam covers or textured sleeves reduce effort for riders with weak or shaky grip.

For ground-based work, a lead rope remains with the horse leader while the participant uses a second “practice” lead to learn cues without risking a sudden pull.

Trunk and Pelvic Supports

Some bodies need a steady nudge toward center. Supports are chosen to guide—not hold—posture.

• Pommel blocks, wedges, and bolsters: small shapes that cue pelvis and trunk alignment.
• Temporary back support panels or higher cantles: offer contact behind the pelvis for short periods while strength builds.
• Side-sitting or prone positions on a wide pad: used in hippotherapy to wake up different muscle groups and change how the body receives the horse’s movement.

If a support starts to do the work for the rider, it is time to reduce it.

Communication and Sensory Tools

Riding and ground sessions both benefit from clear cues and sensory modulation.

• Visual targets and markers: cones, colored rings, or arena letters help with planning and attention.
• Auditory cues: consistent words and simple rhythms help organize breath and timing.
• Touch input: textured reins or pads give steady feedback without scratching or rubbing.
• Communication supports: picture cards, simple switches, or speech devices may be used from the ground; mounted use is case by case and always planned to avoid loose cords or hard edges near the horse.

Equipment for Ground-Based Services

Equine-assisted learning and equine-facilitated psychotherapy often remain on the ground. Halters, long lead ropes, and obstacle elements create clear, safe tasks. Facilitators set distances and traffic flow so horses have space and people can step out and regroup at any time. Gloves and sturdy shoes protect hands and feet during leading.

Driving and Alternatives to Riding

Some participants are better served by carriage driving or by unmounted sessions. Driving uses a cart with a supportive seat, lap belt designed for the vehicle, and reins attached to a bit or bitless bridle. It offers rhythmic movement through space without the pelvic motion of riding and can be a good option for people who cannot ride comfortably or safely.

Fitting Principles That Protect Horses and People

Equipment touches two bodies: human and horse. Programs check fit from both sides.

• Weight and duration: session length and rider weight are matched to the horse’s fitness and conformation.
• Wither clearance and spine comfort: pads prevent pressure points, and girths are snug but not restricting breath.
• Skin checks: both rider and horse are checked for rub marks; small changes in padding or time often solve early irritation.
• Cleanliness and inspection: buckles, stitching, and straps are checked and cleaned regularly. Worn gear is retired.

What You Should See in a Good Setup

You will notice quiet preparation, clear explanations, and unrushed adjustments. Helmets are checked without pushing on foreheads or tilting hats forward. Stirrups are matched to leg length. The horse is relaxed, standing square, and allowed time to settle under new pads or positions. Staff invite questions and offer simple reasoning for each choice, then watch closely during the first minutes to confirm comfort.

How Equipment Fades as Skills Grow

Progress shows up as less need for hardware. A rider who began with a high-cantle saddle may move to a flatter seat. A loop rein becomes a plain rein. A caged stirrup becomes a lighter safety stirrup. The goal is always the same: more independence, more comfort, and the same calm, welfare-positive experience for the horse.