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Therapeutic horseback riding, also known as equine-assisted therapy, is for individuals with a range of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social special needs. There are several different kinds of programs that utilize horses and horseback riding for therapeutic benefits. Equine-assisted activities, including therapeutic riding, driving, and vaulting are not therapy but sport and recreational activities that have therapeutic value. Equine-assisted activities, therapeutic riding is usually most effective in children because of the nature of mental, and social development. However, equine-assisted activities produce very favorable improvements in riders of all ages.

There are hundreds of programs around the world as well many organizations dedicated to the various forms of equine-assisted activities. "Therapeutic riding" refers specifically to horseback riding lessons for people with special needs in which the therapeutic benefits of riding are a result of learning riding skills. Licensed therapists who incorporate the horse as one of their tools during therapy sessions conduct equine-assisted therapy. This is different from therapeutic riding where the rider influences the movement of the horse. Forms of equine-assisted therapy include hippotherapy, in which a certified therapist uses the horse as a therapeutic tool, and equine-facilitated psychotherapy in which a certified mental health professional uses the horse in various ways for therapeutic benefit. Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy used by occupational, physical and speech therapists. The movement of the horse is carefully modulated to influence neuromuscular changes in the client.

Therapeutic riding is considered an animal-assisted activity. As with animal-assisted therapy, the contact with another living being and the special bond people form with animals is used as a therapeutic tool. However, horses provide more than just skills acquired from a relationship with an animal or learning to care for an animal. Riding a horse provides a unique and often profound activity for many people. The motion of the horse, concentration needed to acquire riding skills, and the communication between instructor and rider allow people with a variety of disabilities to benefit from riding.

Riding, like many other therapeutic approaches, can also be considered a form of recreational therapy. That is, because riding is an enjoyable activity for many people, therapeutic riding is also used as a quality-of-life activity for people with degenerative diseases as well as a 'fun activity' for children and adults. Riding is a rapidly growing field with much diversification. Horseback riding has been recognized by many medical professionals and therapists as a very effective physical activity for many people. (Source:  wikipedia)

Articles

Efficacy of Equine Therapy: Mounting Evidence

By Edward J. Cumella Ph.D. and Sharon Simpson, Remuda Ranch Programs for Eating Disorders

Can grooming and riding horses foster recovery from mental illness? According to a recent article published in the Psychiatric Times (1), the answer is "yes." "[E]vidence has continued to accumulate, more rigorous controlled studies are being conducted, resulting in the emergence of a significant body of literature supporting the therapeutic value of the human-companion animal interaction…" An article reviewing the benefits of animal-assisted therapy has even appeared in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (2).

Benefits of Equine Therapy

Animal-assisted therapy has shown evidenced-based efficacy in patients with depression (3), anxiety (4), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (5), conduct disorders (6), dissociative disorders (7), Alzheimer's disease (8), dementia (9), autism (10), and other chronic mental illnesses (11,12).

In light of research and observational findings, experts suggest that Equine Therapy—a common form of animal-assisted therapy--may yield a variety of psychotherapeutic benefits... Read More

 

Texas

Dallas

Horses, Heart & Soul

Sara B. Willerson, LCSW
Horses, Heart & Soul, LLC
214-596-8300
swillerson@aol.com
www.horsesheartandsoul.com

Horses: Heart & Soul  ~ JOURNEY TO OURSELVES THROUGH THE WAY OF THE HORSE.

Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy and Equine Experiential Learning Sessions

for Adults and Children...

Sitting in an office can be scary and uncomfortable. Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy & Experiential Learning provide a natural setting for anyone who has experienced trauma, grief, anxiety, depression, loss of creativity, or unexplained emotional or physical blocks due to a variety of transitional issues in life.

What You Will Learn...

• Recognize equine emotional intelligence and how
  horses connect to humans.
• Use emotions as valuable sources of information.
• Strengthen mind / body awareness.
• Move through physical and emotional blocks.
• Improve relationships and self-awareness.
• Enhance personal and professional creativity.
• Reconnect to your authentic self.