Equine Therapy

My first placement as part of my Occupational Therapy degree was in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit. The service focused on helping children and youth with various mental health issues and offered services such social skills groups, various adventure therapy expeditions and one on one treatment. The unit also ran a equine therapy course in conjunction with the local Riding for the Disabled for young children whom had anxiety issues, autism, obsessive compulsive disorder ,  and were struggling with social interaction. Whilst on placement I was lucky enough to be part of this initiative and see first hand how this intervention really changed the lives of these young children.

Not sure what the Riding for the Disabled is? Take a look at this youtube clip!
The Riding for the Disabled is now a worldwide association with similar objectives; helping individuals from all walks of life through the means of equine therapy. It gives a general over view as to how the Riding for the Disabled aids individuals in improving their functioning abilities. It allows them to have a sense of freedom and enjoyment while at the same time playing a huge part in improving their functioning ability.

Horses. The thought for some people is quite daunting, as initially all that springs to mind is a large broad animal with the potential to take control at any point. But there is just so much more to this creature than meets the eyes. This animal has senses that second to none. Not only are they trusting, sensitive and loyal but they also have all the attributes to be a best friend. This is where they become a powerful intervention technique.

This next video shows the powerful journey a horse can take you on..the journey of self discovery. For many young ones this is the most important journey they will ever endure.
It also shows where horse have taken us and where they will continue to take us in future.

The program ran for approximately eight weeks and within this time the children not only learnt fundamental skills of grooming, saddling and riding a horse but they learn't to trust and to be at one with the horse.

Some fundamental skills of what the children learnt is demonstrated in this video. This gives an insight as to the expectations of the children when working with the horses and the information and techniques they were required to learn whilst participating in the program.

While participating in this program I saw children bloom! Children with anxiety were now bold and bright youngsters standing proudly beside their horse. For other children the strong bonds they formed with the horses led to them having a new friendship and helped them to learn to trust and develop their skills as a team.
This video looks at an equine therapy program in McAlister, USA. The children in this video have similar needs to those that I worked with on placement. This video also shows the changes seen in the children and the different interventions used to help the child's functional ability improve. As you will see in this video the children have formed bonds with the horses and how these horses bring a new light to therapy and intervention techniques.

         

There are some truly amazing stories that eventuate from equine therapy and on my placement I was privileged enough to be a part of these stories! Equine therapy is such a powerful tool and is continuing to grow as an intervention technique in many services around the world! It is a type of intervention that can cover so many areas and can help with so many individuals to overcome their boundaries. This next clip shares with us a story of a young boy with autism. The boys parents and many health professionals struggled to find effective interventions for him and were having trouble communicating with the young boy. Then came along Betty...

    

                                

This is just a small insight into the world of equine therapy but i hope it has given you a taste as to how great and how powerful this form of therapy is.

References:

YouTube. (2012). How to groom your horse. Retrieved on April 28, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHtyy0tAPpA

YouTube. (2012). Horses and psychology connection. Retrieved on April 28, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cwP7IEReLg

YouTube. (2012). Horseback riding is proving to be great therapy for special needs kids.

Retrieved on April 28, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY00fbnitQA

YouTube. (2012). Community association for riding for the disabled (CARD)

Retrieved on April 28, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGtEjl34hLo

YouTube. (2012). Autism therapy on horseback, the horse boy, CNN Dr. Sanjay Gupta talks with Rupert Isaacson. Retrieved on April, 28, 2012 from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7GHzselNmA&feature=related