Therapeutic Riding is used as a general term to explain many aspects of using horses to assist people with different types of challenges.
Equine assisted activities (EAA) and Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) and are usually combined as EAA/T. Equine assisted activities
can be any type of activity with a horse, usually riding, that can help with many aspects of adisability. Coordination, following
instructions, balance, verbalization, working with others, being outside and especially having FUN, just to mention a few benefits
that come with EAA/T. Learning to ride is the therapy and the lessons are designed for each individual. Hippotherapy actually
uses the horse as another therapeutic tool to assist in providing therapy, similar to the machines in their office. The rider
doesn’t control the horse. It’s the movement of the horse that does the work. Being outside and in another setting for
therapy is another benefit.
Interestingly enough, horses mimic the same type of rhythm when walking that we do. It’s been
found that this actually helps people who have difficulty with many types of issues. Therapeutic riding has been around for
many years, however, more and more research is now being done.
Horses have long been known to be somewhat of a magical creature.
It’s calming to just be around them, brush them and talk to them. They have been our transportation, companions and friends.
Now they are helping us in other ways. Children who haven’t been able to walk can sit on a horse and see the world in a new
way. Parents with children who have Autistic Spectrum Disorder find an activity that not only helps their child but that is
fun as well. Children smile.
Adults find the presence of a horse is calming. People with depression or recovering
from an illness find working with horses very beneficial.
In this busy and hectic life we lead perhaps we all could benefit from some
therapeutic riding.
THERAPEUTIC RIDING