Equine therapy has been around since as far back as the ancient greeks. Therapeutic Horseback Riding has many benefits and you also get the joy of riding a horse. Horses help people work through their disabilities and struggles that they are facing. Therapeutic Horseback Riding can help those with disabilities overcome a lot of different obstacles that life may throw at them. For example, stress, depression, autism, ADHD, ADD, etc. The horses themselves help people with disabilities believe in themselves and boost their self-esteem.
There are many proven benefits of Therapeutic Horseback Riding including physical, psychological and social. It is stated that, “Individuals with the following disabilities commonly participate and benefit from equine facilitated activities: Muscular dystrophy, visual impairment, mental retardation, multiple sclerosis, emotional disabilities, spinal cord injuries, learning disabilities, deafness, accident, autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, spina bifida, brain injuries, amputations, attention deficit disorder, cardiovascular and stroke. (Therapeutic Riding) Everyone with a disability can benefit from Therapeutic Horseback Riding. One teenager from North East, Maryland found out the news that she had suffered a stress fracture in her lumbar spine. Her parents brought her to the hospital and the doctors admitted her into surgery the next day. She got the diagnosis of a ruptured disk which had bruised her spinal cord. This young girl was paralyzed from the waist down. She attended a rehabilitation center and a Therapeutic Horseback Riding program. Both programs helped her make great progress.
She kept on riding even after she recovered and now she still volunteers at Freedom Hills a Therapeutic Riding facility, where she learned to ride again and help other children and adults like her. Equine therapy has been around for many years in Canada and the US. Researches show that “England found horseback riding for the disabled helpful, and started using it for their wounded soldiers at the Oxford Hospital during World War T. ” (History of Therapeutic Riding) Equine therapy has been in our world for the wounded and the disabled for many years. The first study of the value of riding as therapy was reported in 1875. ” (History of Therapeutic Riding) Since equine therapy has existed for so long, many techniques has since been introduced and improved. Studies have proved that “Horseback Riding for people with disabilities is recognized as one of the more progressive forms of therapy. ” (History of Therapeutic Riding) There is no machine in the world that can simulate all the natural body movements at one time like a horse. Horses help people that have disabilities in many different ways.
One example, “Equine Therapy has shown to have many positive benefits when correctly taught by certified therapists. ” (What is Equine Therapy? ) Certified therapists are there for the disabled to help and guide them. People involved in Equine therapy have stated that “horses seem to have an affinity for healing effects on youth. ” (Why Use Horses for Therapy? ) There are many reasons why children, young adults and adults are part of Therapeutic Horseback Riding. “Teens who may struggle in school, have alcohol or substance abuse problems, or have social or mental disorders can greatly benefit from horse therapy programs. (Horse Therapy and Troubled Teens) Studies have also shown that “learning how to work with horses will help them in their day to day lives as they deal and work with humans. ” (Horse Therapy and Troubled Teens) Humans can benefit from horses with whatever they are struggling with. The goal for any treatment program is to improve circulation, respiration, balance, coordination, proprioceptive, agility, selfconfidence and mental relaxation. These improvements not only benefit in riding, it is beneficial to everyday activities and everyday life.
By forming a partnership with a horse, several of these goals are brought into focus: by eliminating the need to concentrate on standing, the handicapped rider can devote his efforts and attention to refining his balance and coordination and improving his ability to function in a more rhythmic manner. Researchers say, “The interaction with a live animal can reach psyches that may otherwise be locked away and directions given by helpers can help associate words with actions. ” Horses can associate body language and words into actions.
They are trained to know exactly how to deal and treat people with disabilities. Not only does the human benefit from the horse and riding by learning new things, the horse benefits by trusting another rider and creating a bond. The horse and rider are therefore both able to benefit from each other. Its been stated that “the horses provide an excellent way for troubled youth to react when they are otherwise therapy resistant. ” (What is Equine Therapy? ) Horses are able to teach confidence, responsibility, patience, sensitivity, trust, to have an open mind, learn from mistakes and self-discipline.
A riding program in Idaho states the percentages of the results of parents sending their kids to the therapeutic riding program: “90% saw an increase in their child’s self-esteem and confidence. 70% saw physical improvements in their child. 60% saw improvements in their child’s social skills. 60% reported an increase in the riders speech or communication skills. ” (Benefits of Therapeutic Riding) A Therapeutic Horseback Riding program in Warwick, New York shared a story about a boy named Jacob Miller. He was a student at Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center.
An instructor of his said that “When he first came he could only sit on the horse for five minutes, now he is able to ride the whole hour. Jacob also came nonverbal. Because of Duke (the horse) and Winslow and the job we provide for him, he can say small things like “walk on” and “whoa” and that kind of thing. ” (Riding High) Every child benefits and improves in their own way, whether they improve fast or slow. ] Researchers share that, “Medical doctors, psychiatrists, physical and occupational therapists, speech therapists, and teachers all refer patients and students to riding programs for the disabled. (History of Therapeutic Riding) Whether children or adults have a small disability or a major disability, riding will help and benefit them better than any other program.
Therapeutic Horseback Riding is more likely to help benefit the child or adult with disabilities when they attend riding continuously. It has been recorded that, “For the United States, horseback riding for disabled people is a development form of recreation, and education, along with therapeutic benefits. (History of Therapeutic Riding) A Therapeutic Riding facility in Colorado is one of the only facilities that offers these lessons totally free. Instructors from the riding facility in Colorado states that “Horses are incredible animals. ” They seem to be able to sense when people have special needs and they try their best to adapt to meet their needs. These gentle giants are unbelievably understanding, compassionate and completely non-judgmental. Unless a human is deliberately brutal, they continually excuse us for our mistakes.
Horses truly give their hearts and souls for the people that love them. It is no wonder then that horses make such wonderful “therapists. ” (Horses Helping People with Disabilities) They also state “The horse’s movements are smooth, and for those who are not able to walk on their own, the riding experience can help to exercise muscles that are used in walking and for balance. For individuals with cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, the smooth motion of the horse can help to improve balance, overall gross motor function, as well as trunk, pelvic and hip motion.
In fact, miracles occasionally occur! ” Horses are unique animals in their own way. Horses can help in many different ways, such as, selfconfidence, speech and communication skills and many more. (Horses Helping People with Disabilities. ) Children and adults who are diagnosed with Autism usually face social, developmental and speech difficulties throughout their life. Many therapeutic activities help, but horseback riding is shown to be the most beneficial. Horseback riding has endless possibilities in improving the life of the individual who faces many challenges. There are five main ways therapeutic horseback riding helps individuals with autism: provides high vestibular movement. Some individuals use different types of behavior and movements to help sooth them. Most enjoy the movement of the horse’s gait. Helps manage stimming, the individual looks forward to holding the reins, or petting the horse. Incorporates sensory integration, individuals that usually stay away from certain textures can relax during a therapeutic riding session. They are able to feel and smell new and different textures.
Provides positive social interactions, the individual is able to interact with more than one person while on the horse, for safety reasons. Adapted daily living skills, anything dealing with everyday living, horseback riding will benefit them. From opening and closing objects, to buckle and snapping. ” (How can Horseback Riding Help Individuals with Autism? ) The Rocking Horse Ranch is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1991 by Eileen Van Houten. This program provides equine-assisted therapy to adults and children with different types of health issues.
The goal for Rocking Horse Ranch Therapeutic Riding programs are “to improve each rider’s quality of life so that they can become more independent, productive and active members of the community. ” The facility is also a member of the organization of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATHIntl). Miracle Meadows is also a Therapeutic Horseback Riding facility that provides many benefits for disabled people. Miracle Meadows was founded in 1998 in Jacksonville North Carolina.
Miracle Meadows programs addresses the “Medical needs in which the horse becomes a tool for physical therapy, developmental needs, utilizing the horse as a tool for sensory integration, Emotional needs in which the horse is used as a conduit for bonding and interpersonal relationships, Educational needs, wherein the horse becomes the motivation for fulfillment of the client’s Individualized Educational Program (IEP). ” Wilkes Therapeutic Riding Program is an organization founded for the purpose of building character and confidence in challenged individuals of all ages.
Wilkes Therapeutic Riding Program is a nonprofit 501-C3 organization. They are also a active member of the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA). The Wilkes Therapeutic Riding Program states that, “Wilkes Therapeutic Riding program’s mission is to improve quality of life for individuals with special needs by enhancing physical health and developmental of life skills through participation in equestrian activities. Our vision is to turn dreams into reality by facilitating success in a safe and stimulating environment, leading to lifelong benefits of increased self-esteem, confidence and motivation. (The Wilkes Therapeutic Riding Program) I have learned just how much equine-assisted therapy really does for individuals. There are endless benefits to this specific type of therapy. Just because of that horse, people with disabilities or people who struggle are able to have a smile on their face. Being a little different does not mean people with disabilities can’t experience the thrill of horseback riding. Parents and family, instructors and volunteers all get the pleasure of witnessing this beautiful bonding event in their lives.
