Benefits of Equine Therapy

Equine therapy has become a recognized method of treating many mental, physical and psychological issues. Equine therapy uses interaction with horses, including grooming and riding, to treat these conditions without the patients feeling like they are in therapy. Using horseback riding as physical therapy started in the 1950s when Liz Hartel of Denmark rehabilitated herself from a bout with polio that left her in a wheelchair, then went on to win the silver medal in Grand Prix dressage at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. In 1970 the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association, Inc. was formed. This went on to become the organization that certifies instructors and accredits facilities.

Physical Benefits

• People suffering from many physical disabilities, especially those that are related to brain injury or disease, can be helped by working with horses. It has been used as therapy for cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spinal and brain injury, stroke and amputation. Equine therapy has been proven to improve vertical and horizontal balance, muscle tone and motor coordination. Since riding resembles the movement involved with walking, including independent movement of the pelvis and shoulders, equine therapy can be beneficial for helping patients develop their walking skills.

Psychological Benefits

• Having a positive interaction with another living creature can help patients improve self-esteem, self-confidence and build a feeling of general well-being. In caring for a horse, patients are forced to recognize and meet the needs of another creature. The horses can also break down feelings of isolation that mental health patients may feel toward other humans. Patients also are required to be assertive in their interaction with the horse and learn to communicate in a way that the horse recognizes and responds to while building mutual trust. The trust that is built between a horse and rider helps get through many patients' psychological barriers.

Social Benefits

• When a patient develops a relationship with a horse they learn how to interact with other human beings too. The qualities of respect, responsibility and caring are vital for a relationship with a horse as well as successful interaction in society. Equine therapy has been used to rehabilitate gang members and others who have found themselves social outcasts. This therapy also develops concentration and attention skills that help children and adolescents succeed in school, helping overcome or diminish the effects of disorders such as attention deficit disorder and autism.