The Therapeutic Background of Equine Therapy
Therapeutic horseback riding, a type of equine-assisted psychotherapy, is a form of social, physical and emotional therapy. In Ancient Greek, horseback riding was a well-known treatment for people who wished to rid themselves of physical or mental ailments. However, it wasn’t until 1900 that therapeutic horseback riding began to be used in Canada and the United States. Nevertheless, after being introduced, equine therapy slowly gathered momentum across North America and, by 1969, a group of equine therapists founded the first specialized equestrian therapy centre. In the same year, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) was created to coordinate, recognise and research
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The act of riding and trusting a horse stimulates cognitive activity and fosters feelings of confidence. In this way, equine therapy can be a proven method of building self-esteem, autonomy, communication skills and discipline.
Different Forms of Equine Therapy
Equine therapy is a strongly recommended form of therapy for a variety of disabilities, diseases and disorders. In particular, equine therapy is increasingly popular for people with multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, traumatological diseases, autism, or down syndrome. Regardless of your disability, your equine therapy program can be personalised to suit your physical and mental requirements. Some of the most popular equine therapy programs are:
• Instructional horseback riding: This is one of the most common equine therapy programs and it is regularly used to lay the groundwork for deeper interactions between a patient and horse. This connection building process can also include horse trainers, equestrian therapists and the patient’s family members. When these people are not included, this program is known as social equine
This paper will inform the parents, educators, and American society of the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding for people who have cognitive challenges or loss of limbs and other functions. Therapy can happen on the horse as well as off, depending on the condition of the rider. Not all therapy has to be done on a horse. It can be done on the ground as well, by padding the horse, brushing the horse, leading the horse. Knowing you can conquer being around and taking care of a big horse gives those with challenges a sense of satisfaction and self confidence. Therapeutic horseback riding is wonderful for young people as well as older people with disabilities. Even if they cannot sit up straight, therapy can make it so that any individual can
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
The equine sector can be roughly split up in three segments: the primary, secondary and tertiary sector. These all have a different role within the equine sector and provide diverse jobs which need people with divergent abilities.
Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT), specifically, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Learning is a type of therapy that is primarily solution-focused and client-centered. The heart of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy/Learning is captured within the EGALA system (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association). According to Hayley Sumner who is published in the US Newswire, “EGALA has set the standard for horse-related therapy including both equine
I was astonished to find out that disabled people can greatly benefit from their therapeutic riding, even when outside of the arena. The idea of someone being with an animal to improve his or her people skills is intriguing. My research suggests that disabled riders may possibly gain better people skills and sensations by being with a horse, rather than talking with a sophisticated human being. In my research, I found that www.sire-htec.org had a great description of how a disabled person would feel on top of a horse. It stated, the horses “rhythmic movements help stiff or spastic muscles to relax, much like rocking soothes a crying baby” (“Benefits”). This information was very helpful when discussing the
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
The benefits of animal-assisted therapy towards children varies, one of the benefits is to be able to bring out the best out of the child. The animal could connect with the child spiritually and could improve self-esteem because the child would finally feel accepted by the animal (Weston, 2010) as this quote stated, “A therapy dog may be the first creature who has listened and responded to the child with such enthusiasm and compassion. This can result in the child feeling heard and important” (Pichot, 2007 cited in Weston, 2010). The animals are capable of taking the pressure off the child as s/he is going through a difficult experience and being forced to deal with people, the animal can take up the role of being the child’s supporter. Animals can be used as a “bribe” because some children does not want to attend to therapy but is willing to show up because of the animal which is good because in the end the child would be able to receive the therapy s/he needs. Animals that are trained to be assisted therapy animal are capable of switching its beneficial roles to be able to comfort
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
After an injury, most horses are unable to return to fully. Using massage therapy as a rehabilitation allows the horse to heal 100 percent and be able to return. Owners that have massage therapists to help with the rehab process in an equine injury can be very important. When working with an injured patient, therapist are able to work the injury site to where it strengthens the tissue, muscle, or even tendon that has been effected. By doing so, the horse is able to move all parts of the body to help strengthen the injury even more . ( Journal of Animal Science 2) The horse moves in a very unique way, it can be hard or them to make a full recovery. Massage therapy gives the muscles a chance to make a full recovery and help work the muscles involve in the injury as a medication can not do.(heavenly massage) Massage therapy not only helps strengthen the injury site, it can also help the muscles relax and begin to operate correctly
“Doping and the inappropriate use of normal medications present a serious threat to the integrity and reputation of our sport, because they give athletes an unfair advantage and threaten the welfare of horses.”(FEI’s Clean Sport Campaign pg1) Federation Equestre Inerationale and several other animal welfare organizations have well-established regulations trying to create a more perfect sport. Because riding in shows is so competitive riders need to understand that showing isn’t always about winning but learning for the experience of showing.
For thousands of years the bond between man and animal has proven to be effective in creating an emotional, healing bond. Children/people with autism also benefit from equine therapy due to the motor, emotional and sensory sensations that come with riding a horse. Equine Therapy is seen as the most mysterious yet beautiful form of intervention for Autistic people.
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.
If you ride horse you already know how helpful it is to keep you in shape but for those of you who dont,This is for you. Riding horses strengthens your core along with betters your coordination,but it also helps with social skills aswell.
Building strength and confidence is a good thing, and it can easily be built from riding horses. This is one of the many few benefits that riding a horse has on the body, but there are many other positive things that riding a horse can do.