Thier Equine 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.

“The horse acts as the teacher and unlocks the client. The animal facilitates emotional breakthroughs, and the effect, therapists report, can be magical” (Hayley Sumner).

They sense our emotions and often move away from fear and anger because these register as potential danger. However, they don’t feel threatened by the more vulnerable human emotions such as sadness and loneliness. Horses can sense the feelings in us that are often out of our conscious awareness and, thus, give us information about ourselves. They mirror our feelings back to us through their body language, therefore, they teach us how we impact those around us. For example if a patient begins to get angry with a horse and loses their temper, they will be able to see the horse recoil which gives the patient a clear understanding of the effect their emotions can

In the field of therapy, there are numerous of therapy available out there for different type of individuals and situations as well. There is one type of therapy that usually contains people and animal, it is animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic approach that brings animals and individuals with physical and/or emotional needs together to perform the therapy. Animal-assisted therapy tend to be focused on individuals either children or elderly for them to be able to connect with the animal thus feeling comfortable talking with the therapist. Pet therapy works for all ages, whether sick or not (Lanchnit, 2011). Although, this paper, most of the focus is on animal-assisted therapy towards children using dogs.

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

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.

Equine Therapy is a proven treatment for PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety, and can help with self-esteem, trust, and communication issues. This alternative approach is a little different, veterans with PTSD don’t look at it like going there for treatment, they are going to help tame wild mustang horses. The beginning of this process they have earned the trust of the horse before they can even start to work with them. The same time it is helping the veteran is learning to trust again. As they are taming these horses over a twelve-week course, the veteran becomes aware and learns how to control their impulses. It is very important that the veteran controls their impulses because horses understand body language. If the veteran isn’t aware of their impulses, the horse might interrupt it wrong, and the veteran could be hurt. The veteran learns to be aware of their body language and others.

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.

What are the training requirements that every therapy horse at Heal with Horses must accomplish in order to successfully engage in its therapy

Winston Churchill once stated,“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man,” that statement certainly rings true when discussing the topic of Equine Assisted Therapy. Since Ancient Greece, people have been using horseback riding as a form of therapy to help people who are disabled to improve their lives physically, mentally, and emotionally. Despite the fact that horseback riding is typically dismissed as a form of physical therapy, the physical, mental, and emotional benefits prove that therapeutic riding is a valuable form of therapy.

Behavior is a key factor in riding horses. Individuals can learn how to better themselves for the future by improving the way they act. When a young person is focused on brushing, feeding, or working with a horse, their focus is no longer on their own problems and issues. People who have struggled to achieve their treatment goals have made significant breakthroughs through equine therapy. Like all animals, horses set their own boundaries that a rider has to learn respect. Loving an animal can help a child learn how to love themselves as well. “The need for animals to be taken care for on a daily basis fulfills the humans need to be needed, to nurture, and to love.” (Trotter). Children learn to become responsible for themselves and

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Kevin Haussler’s theory on why equine physical therapy is not mainstream is “The premise among some veterinarians is the animals heal so well on their own that they don’t need physical therapy, but many animals do need physical therapy... We generally rely on the horse to heal himself we turn the horse out to pasture and hope he improves.” (qtd. in Bryant). Some simple physical therapy techniques are considered “alternative” therapies in the horse world, such as chiropractic care and massage (Bryant Sec. 1, 3 and Pascoe; Carter Sec. 1). Not all physical therapy methods can translate to horses, for example, the use of functional training.

All different kinds of animals have been used for therapy. But why are horses on the top of that list? These 2,200 pound animals are used all across the world to help people with autism, kids with behavioral issues, criminals, drug and alcohol addicts, and even the average stressed out teenager. psychologists say that horses are so therapeutic because they mirror your actions and give people an insight to their inner feelings. Many psychologists also say that people do not feel like they are involved in a therapy session. Instead, horses provide them with a sense of accomplishment and trust. If the human is tense and not willing to let go of their feelings, horses can help release those pent up emotions.

A horse can be a healer if you allow them to be. According to Winston Churchill they are healers for many adults and kids that have been through a lot. Having interactions with this animal will allow humans to build a bond, feel needed, responsible and learn new skills. You might be scared at first but it’s a working progress. A horse will allow you to improve you’re physical, mental, social and emotional well beings. Also another reason horses are great healers they allow our kids that have special need issues to get time away from the hospital and to enjoy themselves, and not think about what sickness they have. The Psychological