Horse Therapy for Handicapped People

Using horse therapy as a tool to assist both physically and mentally handicapped people is a combined effort of family members, numerous volunteers, health care professionals and equine partners all working to improve the physical and psychological well-being of the participant. While the goals and structure of a horse therapy program are serious business, the recreational setting allows participants to focus on the "fun" aspect.

What Horse Therapy Is

• Horse therapy focuses on the healing power of a relationship between horse and human. In the case of physically handicapped people, therapy takes the form of developing horsemanship skills that help strengthen and support the spine and pelvis. In the case of emotionally handicapped people, both horsemanship skills and un-mounted activities work to aid in emotional growth and improve non-verbal communications skills, problem solving and leadership skills. Horse therapy helps to build self-confidence and promote a sense of independence to all its participants.

How It Works

• Most equine-assisted therapy centers are non-profit organizations. Volunteers comprise the majority of the staff but all work under the direction of a licensed professional. Several programs exist to train and certify volunteers as handlers, spotters and instructors. For example, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association offers a three-tier certification program for instructors consisting of Registered, Advanced and Master Levels. In addition, each certified instructor must be CPR-certified and complete a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education every year to retain their instructor status. The participant's family members often are trained, so the whole family can get involved.

  Most therapy horses come as donations to the program. Horses go through a stringent evaluation to ensure their suitability before being accepted. Horses chosen to participate in therapy programs are well-broke, calm and easy-to-approach mares or geldings able to tolerate just about anything.

  Horse therapy participants range in age from young to old. Some programs admit children as young as three in pre-riding skills development programs. Each participant completes a screening process that ensures a program to meet individual needs. Depending on focus of the program and the needs of the participant, programs can include instruction in English/Western riding, driving (groundwork), and horse care in either group or private settings.

Physical Benefits

• Horse therapy can work to improve fine motor skills and coordination, improve balance control, strengthen muscles and improve muscle tone, increase a participant's stamina and provide a means for relaxation. Activities such as grooming, mounting and dismounting can help increase range of motion.

Psychological Benefits

• One cannot ignore the psychological impact that having fun has on the mind. Horse therapy allows the participant a chance to be "normal" and enjoy at least a small measure of independence. Other psychological benefits include increased self-esteem and interpersonal skills. Horse therapy appears to be especially helpful to autistic individuals, and many times helps them to become more outgoing and more capable of general mood control.