Equine Therapy is Horses Helping People: How do horses help?

Posted by Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor @jenniferhunter, Sep 3, 2021

Horses can help with therapy in many ways.

Therapeutic riding programs offer ways to have a natural walking motion for patients who can't walk and this helps build better core strength, balance and confidence.

Horses help with emotional trauma. Veterans and inmates can be helped by working with horses and building a trust relationship.

Mini horses make visits to patients in hospitals and care centers. They also visit people to help people cope with tragedy much like therapy dogs.

Horses are honest and accepting. Horses form strong bonds to humans and become a partnership which helps the rider feel safe. Most therapeutic riding programs use people as spotters next to the horse and leading the horse so the rider can focus on the motion.

Horses help people with ADD/ADHD focus.

Sometimes psychotherapists use horses to help patients with cognitive or emotional issues.

Occupational therapists use horses to help patients with neuro-muscular disorders, balance, and coordination.

Therapeutic Riding helps children heal from trauma, as well as improve confidence.

Here is a link from Psychology Today that explains how horses help people.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/helping-kids-cope/201903/equine-assisted-therapy-unique-and-effective-intervention
Here is a video about a Miniature Horse Therapy program and how they help.

Do you have a story to share about how working with a therapy horse has helped in healing, strength, and confidence? Please join the conversation.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 8, 2021

In reply to @loribmt "Thank you, Chris! You’re a special lady. It’s so wonderful you can provide a safe haven..." + (show)

I keep these horses until the end unless they get especially attached to a human they rescue. Sometimes the humans they rescue just can’t imagine life without them and they get to adopt them.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 22, 2021

This article seems to "say it all". Let's hear it for our equine support systems!
https://themighty.com/2021/09/horses-heal-therapy-autism/

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 22, 2021

Honestly, the only place I feel like a piece that fits in the puzzle, is the barn. The rest is all work, if I am outside my own home.

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 26, 2021

I have heard of a few programs for equine therapy for vets. Anyone familiar with these programs?

Rosemary, Volunteer Mentor | @rosemarya | Sep 26, 2021

In reply to @auntieoakley "I have heard of a few programs for equine therapy for vets. Anyone familiar with these..." + (show)

Yes - Lexington Kentucky has programs. I think for Vets especially with PTSD, and one for addiction rehab where the clients in recovery learn to take care of horses for future employment in the horse industry. In my county in Central KY there is a horse therapy program for children with disabilities.

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 28, 2021

This was in my inbox today, I hope the link works. This follows the story @gingerw posted.
Besides Temple Grandin is my hero.
https://equusmagazine.com/horse-world/how-horses-help-humans-temple-grandin

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Sep 28, 2021

In reply to @auntieoakley "This was in my inbox today, I hope the link works. This follows the story @gingerw..." + (show)

@auntieoakley Outstanding article! I'll stand in line beside you, Temple Grandin is my hero, also. I saw her present information back in 1999.
Ginger

Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Sep 28, 2021

In reply to @gingerw "@auntieoakley Outstanding article! I'll stand in line beside you, Temple Grandin is my hero, also. I..." + (show)

Oh my goodness, I am also a Temple Grandin fan. i was living in Hawaii with some familiarity of the movement of cattle from Hawaii to the mainland. Can you imagine how many cattle will fit in a 747? They placed about six in each box and loaded them on. I could hear them "crying".

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Sep 29, 2021

I met her in Colorado at an equine event. But it was her book on autism that really got me.

Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Nov 3, 2021

Just thought I would throw this out there and see if anyone was interested. It is a pretty cool article about how horses help humans.
https://horsenetwork.com/2021/11/the-healing-art-of-brushing-manes/