Significance of Equine Therapy

Equine therapy involves nurturing and establishing a relationship with a horse. In Equine therapy, horses are used as part of the treatment to cure a range of physical and psychological issues.

 

Besides a trained professional therapist, equine therapy also involves a horse professional. Depending on the program, the activities may vary; however, most programs include feeding, haltering, grooming, and riding the horse coupled with games and exercises. Clients may also be subject to lessons in dressage, vaulting, or other subjects. 

The therapy can be employed to help children with ADHD, autism, Down Syndrome or other developmental delays. As it is possible to tailor the program to meet special requirements like exercising a particular group of muscles, people with illnesses such as visual impairments, cerebral palsy or stroke can benefit from it as well. Equine therapy can also be used to facilitate troubled teens to learn how to develop self-control, confidence, responsibility, affection and empathy.

Horses require a lot of care and concern. So, when a patient is asked to groom, feed, or exercise a horse, he or she is not concentrating or thinking of his or her own problems. Eventually, this gives the mind a rest from intricate issues. Besides, a patient is supposed to acquire new skills to care for a horse. In the process of learning these skills, the patient is able to develop self-confidence. Moreover, patients don't have to worry about rejection as well as horses are completely non-judgmental.

In fact, horses are great animals to work with as they almost mirror the emotions and feelings of people around them. If the individual caring for it is controlling, aggressive or noisy, the animal tends to become fearful and it responds negatively. Through such instances, patients are able to learn that their behavior easily affects others. To work appropriately with the horse, patients have to learn how to bring a change in their behavior. 

As horses are herd animals, they must feel safe and always look for a leader who tells them what they should do. To your surprise, a horse will co-operate with someone who makes requests rather than demands. By training a patient on how to get along or work with a horse, the therapist indirectly teaches him or her how to apply the same skill set in improving personal relationships and behavior.

If you are looking forward to a facility offering the best Equine Therapy in Central California and horse lay-up in Southern California. Dutch Dreamhorses is an excellent facility that can help you with reliable and ideal equine therapy.