Equine therapy
Equine therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy (EAT), is a treatment that includes equine activities or an equine environment to promote physical, occupational, and emotional growth in persons with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, autism, cerebral palsy, dementia, depression, developmental delay, genetic syndromes (such as Down syndrome), traumatic brain injuries, behavioral issues, abuse issues, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health problems. Since the horses have similar behaviors as humans, such as social and responsive behaviors, it is easy for the patients to create a connection with the horse. Riders with disabilities demonstrate accomplishments in national and international sport riding competitions.
Equine therapy can involve more than just riding the horse. In some sessions, a client might not even touch the horse at all. Often the mental health professional leading the session will set goals for the client to complete, such as leading the horse to a designated area or putting a halter on the horse. The client will complete the task to the best of their ability and then discuss the thought process, ideas and problem solving used to complete the task. Discussing what the client is doing at a given time allows them to improve language skills. Listening to the instructor helps improve the individual’s ability to listen and follow directions, ask questions, etc. Not only is there communication between the rider and the instructor, but also between the rider and the horse.
Animal assisted therapy in modern times is widely used in mental institutions, prisons, nursing homes and even domestically. The commonly used animals are dogs which are known as assistance dogs, assisting persons with different kinds of disabilities. Assistance dogs have the capability to help patients walk outside of their homes or from the treatment facility to the outdoors. The dogs are also capable of assisting life activities.
The program starts by introducing the animal to the patient to initiate interaction between the individual and the pet. A bond is developed between the animal and the person which in turn can develop the motor skills of the patient. The greater the bond between the patient and the animal, the more therapists provide the patient with freedom to make choices and eventually interact with other humans as well. The human to human interaction is the culmination of an animal-assisted treatment program.
Types of equine therapy: hippotherapy, therapeutic horseback riding or vaulting, special driving, equine-assisted psychotherapy.