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Horseback Riding as Therapy
05/26/2008
Therapeutic horseback riding can assist people with many different needs – from physical and emotional to cognitive needs as well. While activities involving riding show great benefit to children with developmental issues, horseback riding has proved
Therapeutic horseback riding can assist people with many different needs – from physical and emotional to cognitive needs as well. While activities involving riding show great benefit to children with developmental issues, horseback riding has proved effective treatment for people of all ages.
Equine Assisted Therapy is provided by medical health professionals who are trained and equipped to practice. Treatment uses the horse’s movements in conjunction with the patient’s movements to help achieve specific goals. The motion of the horse, the interaction with it, and the concentration necessary to ride have all provided great benefits to those looking for treatment.
Physical Benefits
Riding is, obviously, a very physical activity. Those with physical disabilities can benefit from the exercise and improve balance, muscle strength, and posture.
Cognitive Benefits
Riding requires concentration and reasoning. Riders build their knowledge and experience over time, so the more the rider is on a horse, the stronger the cognitive benefits are. The rider moves from simple tasks and rides to more complex ones that challenge them at a pace they are comfortable with. Absorbing the information necessary to ride, including the environment, the horse, the instructor’s information, and the sensory information that goes along with it, fosters a method to process information effectively at the rider’s pace.
Psychological Benefits
A therapeutic rider builds self-confidence. Having self-confidence is necessary for people to build skills that will transfer socially. This stimulation is invaluable in their social development. By forming relationships with both the instructor and the horse, the rider learns how to interact with others. A horse shows a rider respect and loyalty that the rider can interpret as important in personal relationships with humans as well as animals. By reacting with the rider, the horse also teaches the rider how to be in control of a situation. The rider can learn and develop these skills that are crucial to social development, but without the intimidation of working with a group of people. This empowers a person and puts them on the track to meaningful social interaction.
There are benefits that have not even been covered in this article, but it is important to remember that horseback riding as therapy is extremely effective treatment for the disabled of all types and ages.
