MATCHING HORSE TO RIDER Matching the horse to the rider can be a unique and challenging task. To accomplish this task, the rider is first assessed using the modality of equine assisted psychotherapy. Through the relationship with the horse, and the horse’s response to them, the client will have an opportunity to gain an awareness of themselves and their unique needs which may have been hidden to them. From this point, the client can more accurately identify their needs, and the type of horse that would be appropriate for them. Once the client’s needs are identified, the potential horse is then assessed to determine their ability to meet the client’s needs. This assessment involves an equine psychological profile assessing the horse on the various dimensions of: attitude toward humans, desire for human connection, tendency toward dominance or submissiveness, general level of anxiety, general level of self confidence, and past or current trauma. The client can then take their own needs into account to determine if this particular horse has the ability to meet these needs and is appropriate for them.