Winston Churchill once said, “There is something about the

outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” He could not

have been more right. Horses are God’s gift to the world in every way

with their beauty and grace. Equine therapy is just one more gift they

give to us to help people around the world. This has helped build self

esteem, confidence, and so much more in children and adults

everywhere.

For years horses have been a way for us to travel, but none of us

would believe it to be a form of therapy. It is said that the therapeutic

benefits of riding were first discovered around the year 460 B.C. The

value and benefit of riding has showed throughout time. Some of the

early studies have showed that riding for a therapeutic benefit was

proved in 1875 by a French neurologist named Chassaignac. He

recorded that riding improved the mood of his patients. It showed

beneficial for paraplegics and other patients with neurological

disorders. Classic Equine Therapy’s widespread effect was first began

in 1960 Germany, and a few short years later spread into the United

States. The fundamental principles of Classic Therapy’s are the

relationship between the horse’s movement and the patient’s response

to the treatment.

In 1969, the North American Riding for the Handicapped

Association (NARHA) was formed to promote equestrian activities for

individuals with disabilities. NARHA uses a variety of educational

working with the horses, individuals are challenging themselves and

setting goals to improve their quality of life. Since it’s start in 1969,

NARHA has ensured the fact that riding for therapy is safe and

accessible for everyone involved. NARHA’s therapeutic riding has long

since expanded and now represents a growing number of equine

assisted activities. With over 700 centers a growing number of

individuals have a found a sense of independence by working with

horses.

While working with horses can help an individual physically, how

does it help them mentally and emotionally? With each new day comes

an individual that is soaring to new heights by therapeutically working

with horses. Developed by Franklin Levinson, Equine Facilitated

Learning was introduced to children with serious emotional challenges.

EFL is a type of therapy where children can learn about themselves,

other people, and interacting with the world around them. “It has been

clinically proven that just being in the vicinity of horses’ changes our

brainwave patterns,” say Franklin. “They have a calming effect which

helps stop people becoming fixated on past or negative events - giving

them a really positive experience, (Brown, Your Horse magazine).” This

is not just about learning to ride, but letting children learn without any

before hand knowledge when it comes to horses. A horse will know

who the natural leader is, and both child and horse can feel safe and
secure.

When it all comes right down to it, safety is a top priority when it

comes to the children. While a specific breed of horse is not necessary,

a horse that is secure with it’s surroundings is. In this type of therapy a

horse can not kick, rear, buck, bite, or mouth. With each and every

equestrian it is made sure that each one is fit and sound. As fit as a

horse, anyone?

The horses’ are fit and it is made sure that children are safe, so

what exercises are involved? Children have a chance to become

involved with the horses. In Frank Levinson’s style, children work with

horses at eye level, which will help build a bond between rider and

horse. However, in other programs such as NARHA’s riding is a more

common exercise. “When one rides a horse, the person’s body is being

moved very similarly to the way it moves when the person walks,” says

Barbara Yost. “So being on a horse exercises the hips, the back, the

digestive system, etc. (Nevada Joe)” Yost is the communications

director for the North American Riding for the Handicapped

Association. The exercises may differ, but that is no matter. It is still

said that contact with the horses is a good thing for those with

emotional challenges.

“The love of a family is life’s greatest blessing.” The author of

this quote is anonymous, but still just as wise. Family is a familiar place

that we go to when we need comfort and love. In today’s society a

of self worth is just as rare. Equine therapy is not just for those with a

disability, but families too. Equine Assisted Therapy (EAP) and Equine

Assisted Learning (EAL) was developed to help individuals and their

families. Here is where families must use non-verbal communication to

work together. When working with the horses individuals must use

their problem solving skills and creative thinking to become involved.

This field of therapy is known for helping those with relational, mental

health, and organizational problems. A family can learn to take

responsibility for their actions through the help of equine therapy.

Children are God’s greatest gift to the world. With their smiles

and infectious nature we come to treasure them. We count on the

children of today’s society because they are our future. Children, with

the help of equine therapy, are learning to value themselves as a

person. They are successfully building self esteem and confidence in

themselves. With each new day that passes there are individuals who

have achieved new heights. Equine therapy has helped families and

individuals so much, and now they can continue to achieve to new

aspirations.

Works Cited
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http://www.worku.org/9.html

http://healingriens.net/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Riding_for_the_Handicapp

ed_Association

http://www.nevadajoe.net/wsharticle09.pdf