What is  Therapeutic Horsemanship?

Though the use of a horse  as a therapeutic tool was firmly established in Europe over 50 years ago, it was not until around 1970 that therapeutic  riding programs began developing in the United States.  The field of therapeutic horseback riding is still new  and continues to be re-defined.  The horse is used in many  different ways to assist in the rehabilitative process of  individuals with various needs.  The basic concept is to  utilize the physical and non-physical qualities that horses can provide to improve mobility, circulation, strength, and other body  functions, as well as to enhance the quality of life by affecting  the mind, body, and spirit in a positive manner.  Saddle Pals  believes that all aspects of horsemanship can be therapeutic:  grooming, riding in an arena, trail riding, vaulting, showing and  competing, or caring for the horse.

As an  example, consider grooming and tacking a horse.  Grooming can help improve coordination, memory skills, attention span, and muscle tone.  When grooming, one must stretch to reach various parts of the horse - up the neck and back, down the legs, and under the  girth area.  Much of grooming can involve the coordination of  both hands, as well as eye-hand coordination, and depth perception.  Riders must learn and remember the different parts  of the horse and tack as well as how to properly fit the tack.  Learning the proper order to groom and tack a horse can assist with  individuals who have problems with sequencing (for example: grooming front to back, left to right, top to bottom, followed by the pads,  saddle, then bridle).  Grooming also teaches the individual how  to behave and feel comfortable on the ground with the horse and over time allows the individual to discover what their horse likes and  dislikes.  Working on the ground with the horse is an important part in helping the individual to bond with and develop a  relationship with his or her horse.

BENEFITS of  Therapeutic Riding

Since therapeutic horsemanship has so  many positive components, the audiences that can benefit from these unique activities are tremendous.  Of course this includes individuals with physical challenges such as cerebral palsy,  spina bifida, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy,  paraplegia, quadriplegia, and physical limitations resulting from brain injury.  Individuals with developmental delays, autism, learning disorders, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity, mental retardation, and other cognitive challenges have  benefited tremendously from participating in therapeutic riding and horsemanship activities.  Also, therapeutic horsemanship has been shown to help individuals with emotional problems such as emotional disturbance, eating disorders, depression, control issues, and excessive fear.  Anyone who can benefit from physical activity, being outdoors with animals, learning new skills  and establishing new relationships can benefit from therapeutic horsemanship and the special services UCP / Saddle Pals has to offer. 

Cognitive  and psychological benefits may include:

• increased self-respect and self-awareness
• improved attention span, concentration, and  memory skills
• increased vocabulary
• improved verbalization skills
• improved self-discipline
• alleviated fears
• a sense of self-achievement which  leads to increased  self-esteem

PHYSICAL BENEFITS may include: 

• relaxation of spastic  muscles
• increased strength and muscle  tone
• improved coordination
• improved balance
• increased mobility
• increased head and neck  control
• improved posture
• increased endurance and therefore  cardiovascular functions
• spatial awareness

With some riders who are physically  challenged, the object is to use the horse to manipulate the rider’s body.  This compels the rider to work to maintain a balanced and centered position, maintain good posture, strengthen muscles not often used and to gain more control of their own body position and  movements.  Since the walking gait of the horse simulates the  human gait, the movement can “teach” the rider what it feels like to  walk properly when he or she is off the horse. 

Social Benefitsmay  include: 

• helping  to put the individual with a disability back into the  mainstream of life
• involvement in a sport that is common to people with or without disabilities
• development of peer  relationships, acceptable behaviors, and improved  attitude
• development of a sense of  responsibility
• opportunity to develop a competitive spirit
• understanding  teamwork
• increased communication skills

OTHER TYPES OF THERAPEUTIC HORSEMANSHIP

Hippotherapy is a specialized area of therapeutic  horsemanship that may be used when appropriately trained horses and  knowledgeable staff are available.  Hippotherapy is a means for  a therapist to conduct actual therapy sessions for students using  the horse as the treatment modality.  In hippotherapy, the  horse is driven from behind using long lines, rather than being led, and the horse handler moves the horse under the direction of the therapist.             

Vaulting is another technique used in  therapeutic horsemanship that has proven particularly effective with  riders whose goals may focus on spatial awareness, increased  strength, coordination, balance, or reducing fear.  In  vaulting, the rider never controls their own horse, but learns to achieve different gymnastic-like positions and action sequences  while riding the horse.   

Driving can be a very effective form of therapeutic horsemanship for some  individuals.  The rider directs the horse from a cart that the  horse pulls.  A cart can provide the alternatives for students  or individuals unable to directly ride the horse such as, individuals whose balance prevents them from riding, individuals who exceed the maximum weight limit of the horses, or individuals  possessing other contraindications to actually riding the horse, the  opportunity to be involved in therapeutic horsemanship.

In conclusion, regardless of the type  of therapeutic horsemanship utilized by an individual, the most beneficial and immeasurable aspects of a program of this type is the  laughter a rider can experience just by being around animals that  sometimes do silly things or the joy and exhilaration that occurs when the horse is trotting and the rider is moving faster than he or  she ever has when off the horse.  Other benefits include  playing a game or competing in a race with other riders on horseback  and finally sharing a unique hobby with other riders and caring  volunteers.