EQUINE THERAPY

 

Equine Therapy is where horses are used for therapeutic aides.  Horses are such amazing animals when it comes to therapy!  They are prey animals by nature.  Being a prey animal, they are  constantly aware of their surroundings and the emotions around them.  A horse will read how a person is feeling and mirror that back to the person.  One session with a horse can equal up to four sessions in an office.

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Equine therapy may benefit:

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• For veterans: Researchers found that veterans experiencing trauma, stress, and anxiety showed fewer physical signs of stress when participating in an equine therapy program. 

• For older adults: According to researchers who studied the perceived benefits of equine-assisted psychotherapy in older adults with cognitive or functional impairment, most who tried equine therapy reported gains extending beyond their interactions with horses. These included increased human social interactions and positive influences from peers.

• For at-risk youth: In a 2011 study, seven young people considered “at risk” of harming themselves or others were introduced to equine therapy. They reported positive effects on their resilience and reduced risks of crime, self-harm, and other issues. They reported benefits to their empathy, confidence, self-esteem, mastery, and self-efficacy.

• For mental health: Equine therapy may also be useful for some autistic people. A 2018 research review reports beneficial effects on behavior and social communication skills.

• For emotional health: For people who find it difficult to open up to others, working with horses may provide a more relaxed environment to facilitate trust and build a therapeutic relationship. 

• For physical health: There are numerous physical benefits to horseback riding, including increased cardiovascular and core strength, reduced blood pressure levels, and reduced stress.

• For coordination: There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence to support horseback riding as a therapy for people with cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders. It may help people strengthen their balance and overall coordination, but the research isn’t conclusiveTrusted Source.