Noah Jones

English IV Honors

Mrs.Wilson

4/27/18

Benefits of Equestrian Therapy

Thesis: Horse therapy is more beneficial to children with disabilities and special needs than

other therapeutic methods because it connects the patients on an emotional level, brings them

into an outdoor setting and provides physical benefits.

I. What is Equestrian Therapy?

II. Emotional Benefits

A. How it helps with behavior

B. Social benefits (speech)

III. Physical Benefits

A. Outdoor setting

B. Horse riding

IV. Mental Benefits

A. Self Confidence

B. Self Esteem

V. Conclusion

Benefits of Equestrian Therapy

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Equestrian therapy is a therapeutic practice that involves the use of horses for emotional,

physical and mental growth. There are many different conditions that Equestrian therapy helps:

¨Equestrian therapy is particularly applied to patients with ADD, anxiety, autism, dementia,

delay in mental development, down syndrome and other genetic syndromes, depression, trauma

and brain injuries, behavior and abuse issues and other mental health issues¨ (“What Is

Equestrian Therapy?”). Equestrian therapy is becoming more recognized by professional

physical therapists internationally. ¨In many instances, riders with disabilities have proven their

remarkable equestrian skills in various national and international competitions. This is the reason

why equestrian therapy has been recognized as an important area in the medical field in many

countries¨ (“What Is Equestrian Therapy?”). Horse therapy is more beneficial to children with

disabilities and special needs than other therapeutic methods because it connects the patients on

an emotional level, brings them into an outdoor setting, and provides physical benefits.

There are many emotional benefits of horse therapy. According to the article ¨Equestrian

Therapy for Children with Disability¨, Equine therapy for the disabled also trains a child to

groom a horse which teaches the child comprehension and care for animals.... This develops

self-confidence to the child while improving his or her decision- making and problem solving

capabilities. Equestrian therapy also helps challenged kids control and use more positive

behaviors. ¨Because horses are non-judgmental, do not have an agenda, and are always honest, it

is much easier for teenagers to let down their guard and recognize their own dysfunctional

behavior. When teenagers work with horses, they are able to gain insight into their emotions and

behavior and have a non-threatening opportunity to immediately find a more productive, positive

way of interacting¨ (How Horses Help Kids with Emotional & Behavioral Issues). The horses

will respond negatively to negative tones or aggression so this forces the patients to find another
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way to express their emotions in a more positive, productive way. Troubled teens and children

start to develop better ways to behave and react to certain situations while using Equestrian

therapy, the behavioral changes continue after the therapeutic sessions. Horse therapy is effective

for developing better emotional skills and improves your social skills.

Social skills are improved progressively as the Equestrian therapy session continues.

According to the article ¨Equine Therapy for Special Needs,¨ ¨Children who find it hard to speak

are taught to use their own words to command the horse on what to do. They learn to use the

right words to call the horse including mentioning the horse’s name which eventually improves

their confidence as well as develop their speech.¨ Horses are naturally social and not judgmental

this is why it is used by therapists in Equestrian therapy. Horses ¨are typically non-judgmental,

have no preconceived expectations or motives, and are highly effective at mirroring attitudes and

behaviors of the humans with whom they are working¨ (“What Is Equestrian Therapy?”).

Interaction with the horses are not only enjoyable for the patients but they slowly improve their

speech and social skills with little to no trouble over time. ¨The correct interaction of the child

with the horse also serves as an essential tool for improving the social skills of the child with

respect to humans¨ (Equine Therapy for Special Needs). Equestrian Therapy and the use of

horses improve the mental and social skills of the patients, but the physical improvements are

also present.

Some of the patients that use Equestrian therapy have physical disabilities including

children in wheelchairs, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy. Riding horses can improve

muscle tone of the children: ¨Muscle tone is one physical aspect of a disabled child that needs to

be corrected and learning to ride a horse can provide the needed healing for this physical defect.

This is because riding a horse would teach the child to balance his or her body while enjoying the
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experience of riding a horse¨ (“Equestrian Therapy for Children with Disability.”). Not only does

balancing go a long way to recovery for the child with a physical disability but it is an enjoyable

process instead of working in an office. Also, while in session with riding horses a disabled child

can actually mimic the movements of the horse while it moves. According to the article, Equine

Therapy for Special Needs, ¨Equine therapy for special needs usually makes use of the rocking

motion and gait of the horse to simulate the natural sway of the pelvis during walking. Horse

riding serves as a training activity for the body of the individual to move in the right way.¨ The

physical movement of the horse actually makes the patient better understand that walking has the

same movements as it would while riding on the horse. Not only does the actual riding help but,

the outdoor setting makes a patient feel not as enclosed and confined as they would in an office.

A great benefit of Equestrian therapy is that it is in an outdoor setting instead of being

enclosed in an office. ¨One benefit of equestrian or equine therapy is the chance of a disabled

child to experience environment of a horse ranch which provides an interesting set-up more fitted

for the child¨ (“Equestrian Therapy for Children with Disability.”). If a disabled child is raised in

the suburbs or city than the rural country is a swift change of pace compared to an office.

Another benefit of the outdoor setting is that being outdoors increases the well being of the

patients (“Benefits of Therapeutic Riding Horseback Riding .”). The outdoor setting is a positive

change of pace, especially for children who are constantly in a doctor's office or in a big city who

have never been to the countryside. ¨It is a better place to be than in an intimidating environment

of a counselor’s office. Disabled children who live in the city or in any urban community can

really enjoy the rural setting which promises more of good healing effects¨ (“Equestrian Therapy

for Children with Disability.”). The outdoors is a key element in the healing process of

Equestrian therapy. Being outdoor gives the patients a change of environment and forces them to
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adapt and learn new things in a new space instead of doing the same thing over and over in a

office space. Another benefit of Equestrian therapy is actually the horse riding and walking with

the horses if a child cannot ride.

There are many physical benefits with equestrian therapy, an example would be actually

riding the horse. ¨ Persons with disabilities are often restricted in their movements and

interaction. With horseback riding or equestrian therapy, they are given the opportunity for

independence and mobility¨ (“Benefits of Therapeutic Riding Horseback Riding .”). Riding the

horses in Equestrian therapy can be very beneficial to those who are disabled because they are

restricted from them in regular physical therapist offices. Children who are disabled and still ride

the horses can be benefited by it because the movement of the horses actually help the patient

understand how to balance and move their hips eventually walking. According to the article

¨Equine Therapy for Special Needs¨, ¨ Equine therapy for those with special needs usually

makes use of the rocking motion and gait of the horse to simulate the natural sway of the pelvis

during walking. Horse riding serves as a training activity for the body of the individual to move

in the right way.¨ Equestrian therapy is all natural, the physical benefits are great and the actual

horse riding is enjoyable. Even if a child who is disabled and cannot ride on the horse can also be

benefited physically. ¨Equine therapy for disabled also trains a child to groom a horse which

teaches the child comprehension and care for animals. A child can also learn how to conduct the

grooming process as he or she better understands how to groom the horse¨ (“Equestrian Therapy

for Children with Disability.”). Equestrian therapy for disabled children has many physical

benefits that help the patients grow in the road to recovery.

Equestrian therapy along with physical and social benefits, also has many mental benefits

as well.Self confidence is a skill that can be improved upon throughout the use of ET. ¨A child
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can also learn how to conduct the grooming process as he or she better understands how to

groom the horse. This adds self-confidence to the child while improving his or her decision-

making and problem solving capabilities¨ (“Equestrian Therapy for Children with Disability.”).

Self-confidence in a disabled child can help boost their attitude to make them want to participate

more in additional therapies to aid recovery and can give the patients hope for a full recovery.

Being able to control the horses is a confidence boost also, ¨The ability to control an animal

much larger and stronger than oneself is a great confidence builder. Participating in events such

as shows and play days add to the sense of achievement¨ (“Benefits of Therapeutic Riding

Horseback Riding .”). The feeling of achievement that is gained from horse therapy makes the

experience of the therapy more enjoyable to the patients and makes them want to increase

activities to help them recover. In the article, “Equine Therapy: How Horses Help Humans

Heal,” Lisa Esposito states, ¨Some clients don't even touch the horse, at least for a session or

two, she says, because of extreme fear or anxiety. Some interact with horses over the fence. She

recalls how one young boy with a history of horrible early neglect and abuse taught a horse how

to kick a ball.¨ As the sessions progress the patient went from having anxiety or fear of the horse

to teaching the horse to kick a ball. As the sessions continue, the patients’ confidence increase

and become a valuable skill in real life situations.

Along with physical and social benefits, horse therapy also helps improve your

confidence and self esteem. Horse therapy is used to increase self esteem, ¨Horses help to build

self-esteem and self-confidence, and they inspire people to pursue their goals and

aspirations¨(¨Benefits¨). Building self esteem can make a positive change in the patients and

make them want to try more activities and new things. Patients can benefit themselves by noting

the negative actions and thoughts they have to the therapists for help. ¨equine therapy patients
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have a unique and effective opportunity to note their tendency to engage in self-defeating and

otherwise negative thoughts and actions. These realizations provide excellent bases for

discussion and processing both during and after the equine therapy experience¨ (“What Is

Equestrian Therapy?”). Realizing the negative actions and thoughts can help motivate the

patients to be more positive which gives their self esteem a boost. Patients that are disabled can

also build confidence and self interest as they ride the horses, ¨For those confined by a disability,

the world tends to shrink in size. Riding increases interest in what is happening around the rider,

as the rider explores the world from the back of a horse¨ (“Benefits of Therapeutic Riding

Horseback Riding .”). Riding the horses can give the patients a sense of exploring the world and

their self esteem and confidence increases.

In conclusion, horse therapy is more beneficial to children with disabilities and special

needs than other therapeutic methods. Equestrian therapy is beneficial physically by improving

the muscle tone of the children, walking abilities, and hand eye coordination. It is also beneficial

emotionally by transforming negative behavior and emotions into positive reinforcement and

positive behavior. Finally Equestrian therapy is beneficial mentally by improving self confidence

and self esteem in the disabled children. Some children when they enter Equestrian therapy have

very little to no confidence or they are very anxious or fear the horses. As the therapeutic

sessions continue the confidence in children grow and their anxiety is calmed. With all the

benefits of horse therapy, it is becoming recognized by professionals worldwide. Horse therapy

is being recognized around the world by other professionals (“What Is Equestrian Therapy?”).

The benefits of horse therapy and Equestrian therapies go beyond the normal office like

therapeutic methods used by professionals. Horse therapy takes the nature of the outdoors and

brings it to disabled children who have never been to the countryside or out of their own
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therapeutic offices. The change of environment can make a swift change of pace for the children,

and the interaction with the horses can better improve the patients behaviors and emotions. With

all the benefits of Equestrian therapy, professions around the country are recognizing the benefits

and success that Equestrian therapy has had and is being implemented into new methods of

physical therapy for disabled children all across the country. In the future Equestrian therapy will

be the best method for disabled children for years to come.

Works Cited

“Benefits.” Benefits , horsesadaptiveriding.org/services/benefits/.

“Benefits of Therapeutic Riding Horseback Riding .”

WindReachFarm,windreachfarm.org/programs_services/equine-services/benefits-of-

therapeutic-riding-horseback-riding/.

“Equestrian Therapy for Children with Disability.” Equestrian Therapy,

www.equestriantherapy.com/equestrian-therapy-disabled-children/.

Equine Therapy for Special Needs

.www.equestriantherapy.com/equine-therapy-special-needs/.

Esposito, Lisa. “Equine Therapy: How Horses Help Humans Heal.” U.S. News & World

Report, U.S. News & World Report, 2 Sept. 2016, 1:27 p.m.,

health.usnews.com/health-news/patient-advice/articles/2016-09-02/equine-therapy-how-

horses-help-humans-heal.

How Horses Help Kids with Emotional & Behavioral Issues.

aspeneducation.crchealth.com/articles/article-equine-therapy/.
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“What Is Equestrian Therapy?”

Equestrian Therapy, www.equestriantherapy.com/equestrian-therapy/.