Horses have long been considered healers. Large, powerful and affectionate, horses provide a natural opportunity for people to overcome fears and develop confidence. Like us, horses are social animals. Working alongside a horse provides wonderful insight when dealing with other intimidating and life challenging situations. These large animals require assertiveness and clear communication in their human relationships. They’re honest, which makes them especially powerful messengers. Whether in caring for them or riding them, horses require us to work. In an era when immediate gratification and ease are the norm, horses require people to be engaged in physical and mental work to be successful. [1]
When compared to traditional talk therapy, studies have found equine therapy more effective in reaching its therapeutic goals. Some studies attribute this to the fact that horses provide a form of biofeedback that helps people figure out how to change things within themselves. Horses react to our body language, providing immediate feedback on what we’re communicating non-verbally. Participants learn that if they want to change the horse’s behavior, they have to change their own behaviors, thoughts, and feelings.
Research shows that a wide variety of conditions and disabilities can benefit from the therapy provided through horseback riding, including [2]:
The results of a recent a ten-week study on therapeutic riding showed an improvement in sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem in adults aged 26 to 46 with psychiatric disabilities.[3] Similarly, an additional study of 22 adults with a variety of physical impairments reported increased physical self-efficacy and behavioral self-confidence following a 12-week therapeutic riding program.[4]
Successful equine therapy programs have shown the following results from equine therapy programs:
When compared to traditional talk therapy, studies have found equine therapy more effective in reaching its therapeutic goals. Some studies attribute this to the fact that horses provide a form of biofeedback that helps people figure out how to change things within themselves. Horses react to our body language, providing immediate feedback on what we’re communicating non-verbally. Participants learn that if they want to change the horse’s behavior, they have to change their own behaviors, thoughts, and feelings.
Research shows that a wide variety of conditions and disabilities can benefit from the therapy provided through horseback riding, including [2]:
- ADD/ADHD
- Cognitive Defects
- Autism
- Behavioral problems
- Learning disabilities
- Emotional problems
- Hearing, speech and visual impairment
The results of a recent a ten-week study on therapeutic riding showed an improvement in sense of self-efficacy and self-esteem in adults aged 26 to 46 with psychiatric disabilities.[3] Similarly, an additional study of 22 adults with a variety of physical impairments reported increased physical self-efficacy and behavioral self-confidence following a 12-week therapeutic riding program.[4]
Successful equine therapy programs have shown the following results from equine therapy programs:
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Physical benefits
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Psychological benefits
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Equine Therapy provides healing for the body, mind and spirit in a way that traditional talk therapy, on its own, cannot. Working with horses offers a way to engage in healing activities outside of a traditional therapeutic environment. Together, traditional therapy and equine therapy can work magic.
[1] Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine assisted learning. www.eagala.org/Information/Why_Horses
[2] Run to Walk. www.runtowalk.org
[3] Bizub, A. L., Joy, A., & Davidson, L. (2003). “It’s like being in another world”: Demonstrating the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with psychiatric disability. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 26(4), 377- 384
[4] Farias-Tomaszewski, S., Jenkins, S. R., & Keller, J. (2001). An evaluation of therapeutic riding programs for adults with physical impairments. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 35(3), 250-257
[2] Run to Walk. www.runtowalk.org
[3] Bizub, A. L., Joy, A., & Davidson, L. (2003). “It’s like being in another world”: Demonstrating the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with psychiatric disability. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 26(4), 377- 384
[4] Farias-Tomaszewski, S., Jenkins, S. R., & Keller, J. (2001). An evaluation of therapeutic riding programs for adults with physical impairments. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 35(3), 250-257
Leave a Trail - Our programs are offered at Chaparral Ranch, 3375 Calaveras Rd, Milpitas, CA 95035. Nonprofit Tax ID: 35-2430189.