Health & Equine Therapy

According to the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association's 2008 statistics, there were 782 therapeutic riding centers serving more than 40,000 special needs adults and children with hippotherapy (therapeutic horseback riding) and equine-assisted psychotherapy, as well as other therapeutic equine activities.

Types

• Hippotherapy and equine-assisted psychotherapy

  Equine therapy includes hippotherapy and equine-assisted psychotherapy. Hippotherapy, or therapeutic horseback riding, uses the movement of a horse as a treatment strategy for children and adults with physical, cognitive or psychological needs. EAP uses horses experientially to promote emotional and spiritual growth to those suffering with severe emotional issues.

Considerations

• Help for the physically and emotionally disabled

  Hippotherapy is typically used with children and adults who suffer from neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction, such as autism, cerebral palsy, brain trauma, genetic syndromes, learning and other disabilities. EAP benefits emotionally disabled children and adults who suffer from behavioral and abuse issues, eating and attention deficit disorders, depression and anxiety, and relational and communication needs.

Significance

• Horses have a rhythmic gait

  An equine gait is both rhythmic and variable, mimicking the walking pattern of a healthy person. The therapist uses a disabled patient's sensory response to the equine movement as a treatment strategy.

Focus

• Groundwork with horses

  While hippotherapy activities are all completed on horseback, the focus of EAP is not horseback riding or horsemanship, but equine activities designed to help patients apply certain skills to their lives.

Facts

• Proof of Effectiveness

  According to the American Hippotherapy Association, there have been myriad studies completed that offer clinical evidence supporting the effectiveness of equine therapy.