Which method is crucial in ensuring safety during therapeutic riding sessions?

Having adequate knowledge of animal behavior is crucial in ensuring safety during therapeutic riding sessions. Understanding how horses communicate, their body language, and how they react to different situations enables instructors to anticipate and manage the horse's actions effectively. This knowledge allows instructors to recognize signs of discomfort or distress in the horse, which can prevent accidents and ensure a safe environment for both riders and horses. By being aware of the horse’s behavior, instructors can also choose the appropriate horse for each rider, ensuring a good match in terms of temperament and ability.

The other methods mentioned do not promote safety. Ignoring the horse's signs of distress can lead to dangerous situations, as a distressed horse may behave unpredictably. Prioritizing the speed of instruction can compromise the quality of the session and may overlook important safety checks that need to be in place. Similarly, having multiple riders on the same horse can increase the risk of accidents and is generally not practiced in therapeutic riding settings, where a focus on individual needs and safety is paramount.