Presented by Indiana Horse Council Inc.

This year’s recipient of the Indiana Therapy Horse Award is Navaar, a 24 year old grey Arabian gelding that has served the students at PALS, Inc. in Bloomington, Indiana for over four years.  He was donated to the program to embark on a second career as a therapeutic riding horse after having competed in dressage, jumping, and eventing.

Navaar has a very interesting history.  In addition to his competitive life, he also cut cattle, went trail riding, and was well-known for his love of children.  And if that’s not enough, he also happens to be related to a movie star!  He is the son of the chestnut Arabian stallion who raced the Black Stallion in “The Black Stallion Returns.”

In his second career as a therapeutic riding horse, Navaar once again has proven himself.  He is able to work with a wide range of riders whether they are assisted or independent.  He is extremely alert and able to focus on his task and the rider; his past raining in dressage helps Navaar remain balanced and even able to compensate for the unbalanced rider.  He takes his job seriously, using his heart as well as his training.  In addition to being used in therapy lessons, Navaar is used in horse shows and on trails and is the only horse in the barn trusted for a rider’s first canter!  He recently competed at the regional Equestrian Special Olympics bringing home the gold and silver medals for his riders.

The Therapy Horse of the Year award has been established by the Indiana Horse Council’s Equine Assisted Programs Committee to select and honor one of Indiana’s outstanding therapy horses.  It is awarded to a horse that is currently being used in an Equine Assisted Program.  The horse must have been active in a program for a minimum of one year.  A suitable therapy horse must exhibit character and sensitivity far and above what is normally expected from a typical riding/driving horse. 

Does your horse have the potential to be part of an Equine Assisted Program?

Equine Assisted Programs throughout Indiana are always in need of suitable horses.  Would your retired show horse or trail horse possibly enjoy a second career working with individuals with special needs in a variety of equine assisted activities?  Stop by the Equine Assisted Programs booth in the West Pavilion while visiting the Hoosier Horse Fair & Expo and see if a new career could be in your horse’s future; or contact the Indiana Horse Council.