Healing Horses: Horse Therapy for Children and Teens
Horse therapy, also known as hippotherapy, is a type of psychotherapy that uses horse riding as a form of treatment. Horseback riding is known to help improve balance, coordination, strength, and mobility in children and teens who have special needs. It can also help improve social skills and self-confidence. The horse is a unique partner in that the therapist has two patients: the horse and the rider. The horse reacts to subtle cues from the therapist, who then can use this interaction as a model for communication with other people.
Horses are incredible animals that can help humans heal past pain, emotional scars, and physical disabilities. The benefits of horse therapy are undeniable. If your child is struggling with a physical or mental health issue, horse therapy may be the perfect fit!
The History of Horse therapy
Believe it or not, horse therapy has been around for thousands of years. Horses were first domesticated about five-thousand years ago. Some historians have even argued they have been domesticated for ten-thousand years. Since then, horses have been a source of transportation, labor, and companionship. We first hear the phrase, “horse therapy” from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. In fact, the word hippo means horse in Greek. According to ancient Greek documents, horses were recognized to be therapeutically beneficial even in 600 B.C. That’s a long time ago!
Why horse therapy?
It’s no secret horses are very large animals, which means they have a lot of power and force. When children and teens interact with and ride horses, they can work to feel the horse’s movements and learn how to control them through breathing techniques. Horse therapy is also a great way to meet new friends who are dealing with similar issues because of the social nature of these programs. Horses are very sweet, sensitive, and intuitive animals that need round the clock care and treatment. They help us connect with ourselves and recognize who we are on a deeper level. Clients who participate can learn about horse behavior during grooming and feeding sessions: this helps teach the clients social skills, independence, and what responsibility looks like when caring for an animal. Finally, horseback riding is a great form of exercise, which can improve overall physical and mental health as well as build confidence.
Who can benefit from horse therapy?
Horse therapy is commonly used to help children with special needs including those who may struggle with attention and/or sensory processing disorders. The horse’s movements help stimulate the brain and encourage positive interactions with other people and animals. This also leads to better relationships at school or work because the clients learn to communicate effectively with others both through facial expressions and body language. Some specific conditions that have been treated with horse therapy include:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety
Depression
Cerebral palsy
Down syndrome
Blindness/visual impairments
PTSD due to trauma
Dementia
Amputees
Eating disorders
Addiction
Horse therapy provides a way to connect with the horse in a nonverbal way. The rhythmic movement of the horse along with the smells and sounds associated with them can provide a calming environment that is beneficial to those who struggle with the above listed disorders.
Where can horse therapy be done?
Horse therapy can be done at a horse stable or riding center. Many programs offer horse therapy in the form of visits from a horse therapist to schools, hospitals, and other community centers. Horse riding trails, therapeutic horseback riding centers, horse farms, or stables are often where clients will come to the horses to receive their horse therapy.
What additional information should I know?
Each session typically lasts 55-60 minutes. During the first session, the client takes time to meet the horse and the certified horse therapist where they take time to not only let the client come to the horse, but to let the horse come to the client. Horses are extremely sensitive and can tell if someone is angry, scared, anxious, or sad. Horses can teach us things about ourselves we never knew we knew. During the first session, the client and therapist will discuss the client’s goals and expectations they have for their treatment.
Horse therapy can be expensive, so costs need to be considered when looking for horse therapy programs. It is important to talk with your child’s doctor before choosing horse therapy as a treatment option. If horse therapy is not available in your area, you might want to consider traveling outside of your community for horse therapy sessions.
How can I tell if a horse is suitable for therapy with my child?
When choosing a horse for therapy for your child, there are obvious attributes you should look for in the horse your child or teen will work with. The horse should be calm, gentle, and docile. It is important that the horse has the right temperament so that the child will feel safe while working with them. The horse should be healthy as well: they must have all of their vaccinations and pass all the necessary health tests before being allowed into sessions or onto trails. The horse should also be in good physical shape. Some additional characteristics that your child’s horse should have are:
Friendly.and well socialized to people (e.g. will allow strangers to touch them without getting spooked)
Obedient and responds quickly when commanded to do something by a horseback rider or therapist
Calm and not easily spooked by loud noises or sudden movements
Strong and able to carry a person of a certain weight
Horses that meet these requirements are usually selected as therapy horses. However, just because a horse may have all the proper requirements to provide therapy, that doesn’t mean they are the right fit for your child. Just like how some personalities clash between people, the same can happen between animals and humans. Your child may not feel a connection to their selected horse or vice versa. If this is to occur, never fear! That’s totally okay. Your horse therapist should work with you to find the right horse for your child’s needs.
What are the benefits of horse therapy for trauma survivors?
Horse therapy can be very beneficial for a multitude of issues. People struggling with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—a mental health condition that can lead people to behave aggressively, feel irritable, and lose touch with their emotions—can benefit especially from horse therapy. Horse therapy can reduce symptoms of trauma by improving balance, coordination, strength, and mobility.
Horse therapy for PTSD is a non-traditional form of treatment that has been shown to be effective in lowering the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Horses force people to come out of their shell and explore new outcomes by working with a large and unfamiliar animal. People who live in a state of hyper-vigilance can feel alarmed by events that happen in our everyday lives. Horses exist in a similar state. You may have heard stories of horses being easily spooked, jumpy, or sometimes reactive. Sometimes, PTSD survivors can see their own emotions by looking into the eyes of the magnificent horse.
Conclusion
Horse therapy can be an incredibly beneficial experience for children and teens. It can help them to learn new skills, increase their self-confidence, and improve their emotional well-being. If you are considering horse therapy for your child or teen, make sure to do your research and find a reputable program that will best meet their needs. Horse therapy is a unique form of treatment that can have a profound impact on the lives of children and teens. Thanks for reading!