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Equine Therapy is Horses Helping People: How do horses help?
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.
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Oh, yes! Grooming is one of my favorite pasttimes with the horses! From currying out dead hair and brushing, to the mane and tail "brushout", to the burlap sack rubdown at the end [always a favorite part]. I get lost in the simplicity and connection!
Ginger
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4 ReactionsI remember the burlap sack shine from days past when burlap wasn’t so hard to come by. If I go out and brush to prepare for a therapy rider, I am in the right mind to be the best helper I can be. Then I encourage people to connect with the horse by brushing them out after, ( after I took care of the mud first.. lol)
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3 ReactionsThis is just a truly heartwarming story in my email today.
https://hopeinthesaddle.com/stories-of-hope/tiny-horses-bring-silver-lining-to-cancer-patient
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3 ReactionsNever let anyone underestimate the power of a horse [of any size!] snuffling you, photobombing your selfie, and returning your hug.
Thank you for the link and story today!
Ginger
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3 ReactionsYou know that little photo bomber would walk you around the arena anytime! I just have to curry off the mud first. Lol
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3 ReactionsHere is another of those great stories about horses healing people.
https://hopeinthesaddle.com/stories-of-hope/reader-stories-lucky
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2 ReactionsAwesome story about Lucky! I worked with my racehorses to accept all sorts of variety of people and situations. They had the chance to experience many different situations, which stood them in good stead and allowed them to become relaxed in many awkward moments. And as we all know, a good handler will pass on the calm to the animal.
Ginger
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3 ReactionsTrue enough, Mr. Studley has made some leaps. Today he played with a ball and a hula hoop.
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3 ReactionsI don’t know why this is so prevalent and yet no one is talking about it. Here is a last ditch effort to start the conversation. This little abused, autistic child will always remember Charlie.
https://hopeinthesaddle.com/stories-of-hope/reader-stories-therapy-horse-charlie
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4 ReactionsI love this story and I hope she will have a relationship with horses all through her life.
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3 Reactions