Equestrian Therapy allows students with physical, mental, emotional, and/or developmental disabilities to develop physical strength, balance, control, self confidence, and self esteem.
Freedom and Independence
As the legs of these beautiful animals become the legs of our riders, they are permitted a sense of freedom and mobility seldom experienced elsewhere in their lives. A very special bond is established between horse and rider which encourages unconditional love, trust and self-worth.
Learning
Equestrian Therapy is enjoyable as well as purposeful by increasing concentration, patience, self-discipline and emotional control. Activities such as grooming, identifying parts of tack, maneuvering through an obstacle course, learning a simple dressage pattern, provide opportunities for problem solving, impulse control, and sequencing. Lessons include creative games and sport activities which encourage a sense of well being and accomplishment. In addition, students learn horse care, grooming, and equipment use through hands-on experience, which encourages responsibility and participation.
Dealing with horses and animals in general helps children develop a sense of responsibility.
Physical
Increase balance, muscle control and coordination, obtain faster reflexes and strength: Horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the human body in a manner similar to the human walking gait thereby providing the upper and lower body sensation and mental image of walking. It stimulates passive exercise, which increases cardiovascular, musculatory and respiratory strength thereby improving the rider's physical fitness. Because the improvement is painless, riders seldom realize that it is occurring, and unlike jogging, horseback riding is seldom boring. Other benefits include: muscle stretching, reduced spasticity, and better range of motion.
Emotional
Riding horses provides relaxation and psychological benefits.
Improve social skills and personal relationships and gain a sense of normality. As a social creature, the horse will readily bond with humans with no pre-judgment, in this unique relationship trust and communication can be developed. A horse can be an emotional outlet for disabled people, and they gain a sense of freedom from restraints imposed by their handicaps. Many disabled children find it hard to relate to adults and able-bodied children, but they do not find it hard to relate to a pony. Horseback riding by the physically disabled is now an accepted from of physical therapy to rehabilitate damaged muscles.
Horseback riding has also become a recognized form of therapy for regaining mental health. Some benefits derived by patients are the conquering of fear and replacing it with self-confidence. Riding develops affection and companionship and a sense of mastery. It often helps overcome a feeling of inferiority and requires the patient to make decisions and act on them. Riding improves coordination and rhythm while providing a relaxing and stimulating form of exercise that creates a new interest.
Each student has a fixed teaching team for the session. The therapeutic riding instructor works with specially trained and dedicated volunteers. Each lesson is adapted to specifically meet the student's needs and goals.
Some of the disabilities which can benefit include: autism, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, amputations, multiple sclerosis, cystic fibrosis, head injury, developmental delays, learning disabilities, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, behavior disorders, spina bifida, paralysis, stroke victims, deaf, blind, and those who have experienced emotional or physical trauma.
