A Bit About Equine Therapy
Use and effectiveness of horses in therapy
Unlike smaller therapy animals like dogs and cats, these gentle giants have a calming effect that’s magnified by their size and empathy. Horses are herd animals known for attuning themselves to human emotion, often reflecting the behaviors of those around them. For people building confidence, learning to lead around animals that loom over them can help improve self-esteem, encourage taking control, and address fears they feel are bigger than them. Therapeutic horses are typically mares and neutered male horses. They’re selected based on how reliable they behave and their demure demeanors.
Studies have indicated that equine therapy has been successful in helping patients show marked improvements in the following areas:
Assertiveness
Emotional awareness
Empathy
Stress tolerance
Impulse control
Problem-solving skills
Independence
Social responsibility
Interpersonal relationships
Feeling the physical cadence of a horse can stimulate one’s muscles and spine. Horseback riding helps with motor skills, balance, coordination, and physical rehabilitation. Horse therapy can take many forms. For those who prefer staying on the ground, equine-assisted therapy includes activities such as grooming, petting, and feeding. Otherwise, programs may feature vaulting over small obstacles, trotting or riding in a horse-driven carriage.
Many of the benefits of equine therapy are likely due to the nature of the animals with which the patient and equine therapist are interacting. Horses are typically non-judgmental, have no preconceived expectations or motives, and are highly effective at mirroring attitudes and behaviors of the humans with whom they are working.
What Conditions/Disorders Does Equine Therapy Treat?
Equine therapy has been successfully integrated into treatment programs for adults and teens who are being treated for substance abuse, addiction, behavior disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, learning differences, ADD/ADHD, autism, Asperger’s, grief/loss, trauma, sex addiction, compulsive gambling, bipolar, depression and related conditions.