Hippotherapy Therapy

Animal Assisted Therapy also known as animal-assisted therapy has been formally introduced to the world in the last ten years or so. Although animals have always been a place of comfort for a lot of people, scientists just began to realize the impact animals have on society. The world has begun to experiment with what animals can do to benefit human health. The most common type of animal-assisted therapy is equine-assisted therapy. Equines are horses. Equine-assisted therapy 's impact on minors who have mental health issues have led to a successful new type of therapy that includes multiple benefits. Equine-assisted therapy has worked well in is treating adolescents and children how to communicate and connect with others. Two big issues that animal-assisted therapy has been known to help is Autism and kids with attachment and social problems.

Winston Churchill once said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” Some might say Churchill was ahead of his time, with the way horse assisted therapy has just recently begun growing in popularity. All over the world therapists and psychologists have been exploring the effect horses have on troubled humans. In their explorations, perhaps with Churchill’s words in mind, they are attempting to find out just how useful an equine aid is in therapeutic treatment of physical and psychological impairments. There are passionate opinions from varying viewpoints, but they all come down to whether or not horse assisted therapy is effective and should be considered a regular practice. The answer to this

If you’ve ever owned an animal, you know that being around them can be extremely therapeutic. After a stressful day at work or school, it is always nice to come home to your pet and feel comforted by them. Many dog owners even claim that their dogs can feel their pain. However, if you speak to anyone who has been spent their life around horses, they’ll tell you that the connection between horse and rider is unlike any other. Norwegian researcher Anita Maurstad explains in a recent article, that over time horse and rider can become so attuned to each other that they develop a state of co-being. Maurstad also found, through research, that horses appear to learn to relate to humans in ways that provide them with a good quality of life. A recent study from Washington State university has concluded that kids who work with horses have significantly lower stress levels. In addition to these, there have been numerous other studies that show that working with horses decreases blood pressure, reduced feelings of anger, tension, and anxiety. Riding horses also allows you to gain feelings of self esteem, empowerment, patience, and trust. Because of the overwhelming positive effects that horses seem to have, horses are no longer being used just for recreational or agricultural

They can help the individual build confidence, trust,and social skills. Horses may also deal with some relating issues so it makes it easier to build a connection with the horse and their handler. Horses only react to the handler's behavior and emotional status. Horses aren't there to judge your appearance or what happened to the you in the past they are just there to help in the present. Most people like this option because some people believe that they will be judged by a human therapist doctor and most of the patients know that the horses won't judge them on what they look like or been through. This helps people build self esteem and self confidence. Through the years children and adults who participate riding programs improve in physical and social function. Studies have shown that therapeutic riding has shown positive outcomes that change people's lives for the better. Some have been able to gain the function to walk and talk better then before or even for the first time. This is because of the socializing, movement, and the need for balance on a horse. Through movement with the horse and the interaction with the people that work there, children and adults also have improved in other things such as physical function, emotional stability and social interactions. Challenging activities help gain more balance and control, and posture as the horses shows the motivation towards the

One reason is that these animals help in many different ways, For example according to the second article “This boy needs both his hands and all his energy just to walk. Luckily, his assistance dog is there to carry his backpack.” Another thing is that horses can help. This animals helps by giving it a horseback ride, and according to the second article “horseback riding is a good exercise for them.” Also it helps the people feel better and more confident.

Considering the advances in technology in the past decade, it is not difficult to see how technology will affect equine practice in the coming years (Ramey and Baus, 2012). Over the years, the reasons for keeping horses have changed. They are kept for various reasons and have become ever more popular in sports and recreation. The economic value of the equestrian sector stands at £4.3 billion of consumer spending across a wide range of goods and services each year. This has increased from £3.8 billion in 2011. (Beta-uk.org, 2017). Not only are the horses that are being kept for leisure purposes, but also those employed for sport being sold on due to undesirable behaviours. Ridden behaviour problems are prevalent in the UK leisure horse population

I completed my service learning hours this semester in the organization called Personal Ponies Ltd. This is a charity dedicated to providing pony visits to hospitals, schools with exceptional education programs, foster care homes, veteran hospitals, and learning centers. The charity also provides a private farm where adults and children with special needs can fully enjoy feeding and grooming horses. Sandra Seiden, Florida state director, according her personal experiences, firmly believes that this type of psychotherapy positively enhances mental development of the child. Angela Masini, the author of the article “Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Clinical Practice,” also shared the healing effects on a child through a close interaction

Horses have been used as therapeutic aids in many different ways and forms. Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is one of the types of Animal Assisted Therapy used to rehabilitate individuals with Physical and mental disorders. Specifically, Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) is a planned treatment using the horse as an integral part of the psychotherapy process (Lentini & Knox, 2009). In EFP, therapists work with horses with different styles and using various theories. Esbjorn (Lentini & Knox, 2009) reviewed the construct and found that there was a wide variety in the way therapists conceptualized EFP. Though the concepts of EFP or EAT are mostly similar, the methods of implying them vary from therapist to therapist. Each one has an individual style of the implementation of EAT. The different kinds of activities used in EAT may be ‘un-mounted activities such as herding and leading, non-traditional mounted

Horseback riding can become a miracle. Therapy horseback riding can improve the lives of disabled people. Equine-Assisted Therapy or EAT can improve hand-eye coordination, balance and strength. Horses in general can help certain people manage their stress. Riding can also help kids and adults with mental problems such as Autism and Cerebral Palsy. Many veterans who have been paralyzed from the waist down seek Equine Therapy to help rehabilitate their legs. Equine Therapy can also help manage Post Traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

Learning to master the horse increases the rider's self-esteem and confidence. Interacting with and controlling the horse enhances focus, decision-making skills, and effective verbal and nonverbal communication ("Why the Horse?"). Riders may become very satisfied and self-confident after successfully completing a task set by the instructor of the hippotherapy session. This feeling of confidence improves the rider's overall mood and makes them enjoy horseback riding even more.

10). Horses become non-judgmental confidants, which are not often available in most patients’ lives (Kemp et al., 2014, p. 559). Additionally, since horses cannot judge, patients are not on the defensive during therapy. This lack of defensiveness allows patients to partake in therapy with a vulnerable, honest mindset that is vital for success (Meinersmann et al., 2008, p. 40). One patient explained that she was too sensitive and defensive to be able to benefit from traditional talk therapy with a human therapist “so having that equine-assisted psychotherapy was very validating” (Meinersmann et al., 2008, p. 40). Furthermore, not only are horses non-judgmental, as long as they are treated well, they respond with love and acceptance. These factors in the equine-patient relationship enable patients to foster further emotional improvements (Bachi et al., 2012, p.

One may wonder what equine therapy even means, in the article “Equine Therapy: Substance Abusers’ ‘“Healing Through Horses”’, explains how equine therapy has helped individuals that have gone through a tough time in their lives and need an alternative to change their lives around in a positive manner. Therapy with horses has also been proven to individuals that have certain disabilities as well. There are two organizations that do exactly that, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association and the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association.

Equine therapy is a practice that uses horses to aid people with disabilities. This therapy has helped people for over 50 years in the United States, and it has been used in Europe for more than 100 years. What can horses do to help people? Why can they make us feel better? Horses deserve more credit than what we are giving them. Horse therapy can strengthen our bodies, improve communication skills, and help people face their fears.

Thier equine therapy is effective because horses, unlike people, respond genuinely to a person's actions or feelings. They are relational animals that mirror what the body language of the patient is

Despite everything good about hippotherapy, it is not without some disadvantages. Equine therapy is a great alternative therapy; however, it does include some risks. These therapy sessions are on a live horse, granted the animals have great training, but they do have a mind of their own and can be unpredictable. There are risks to where the rider falls off or be thrown from the horse. Since the horse does feel the emotions of their rider, an excessive amount of fear can increase the patient’s stress level, which can turn itself as increased tension. Also, many people have allergies and being around an environment that has dust, hay, and horse hair may affect the allergies of the patient (Benoit).