Equine-assisted therapy involves activities and treatments with horses to enhance people's physical and mental health. The interactions between the patients and horses are aimed at promoting emotional growth for people with a diverse range of medical conditions.

Patients who can benefit from the treatment include those with autism, Down syndrome, Attention Deficit Disorder, anxiety, dementia, delays in mental development, brain injuries and trauma. It can also be used to treat abuse and behavioural issues, addiction, depression and mental health conditions.

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Behavioural skills

This type of experiential therapy is also effective in teaching troubled young people how to follow instructions, react to situations and learn. For example, students will be asked to move the horse, but not to touch it. The usual way that they attempt to do so is by clapping their hands, whistling or shouting.

However, they will find that the horse doesn't respond to this treatment and won't move - so they learn that yelling and forcing someone to do something through bullying is not appropriate behaviour.

Horses are ideal for therapy because their social behaviour and responses are similar to those of a person. They respond immediately to their riders' actions, enabling patients to establish a connection with the horse. Horses are the most popular therapy animal, although dogs, cats and dolphins can also be used for this purpose.

 

Origins

Amazingly, the first mention of using horses for therapy was made in Ancient Greek literature dating back to 600BC! Orbasis of Lydia proclaimed riding was much more than a means of transportation, saying that it also improved the health and wellbeing of participants.

Another ancient Greek, the physician Hippocrates, who was born around 460BC, believed horse riding brought physical and emotional benefits. He said it was invaluable for a wide range of maladies and recommended it as his preferred treatment.

It wasn't until 1875 that the first official study of equine therapy was undertaken by French physician Cassaign. He used it to treat patients with various neurological conditions and concluded it was a successful therapy for improving joint movement, posture and balance, in addition to emotional improvement.

Equine therapy was used to speed up the recovery of victims of a polio outbreak across Scandinavia in 1946. In 1950s UK, physiotherapists started to use the treatment for various health issues and this led to the formation of the British Riding for the Disabled Association in 1965. It became a registered charity in 1969.

In the United States, therapeutic riding was introduced in 1960 by the Community Association of Riding for the Disabled. The first US centre (the Cheff Therapeutic Riding Centre) was established in 1969 in Michigan. Today, equine-assisted therapy is used all over the world to help heal a variety of medical problems and conditions.

 

Key benefits

Patients with cognitive, psychomotor and behavioural disabilities have been helped by equestrian therapy, carried out by certified therapists, who assist patients to enjoy an improved quality of life. One of the key benefits is that patients enjoy the sessions, as they can truly bond with the horses, so it feels more like a fun activity than a medical treatment.

The sessions build people's sense of self-worth while improving their communication skills. Boosting their socialising skills will gradually reduce their feelings of isolation. Sessions also increase their ability to trust, and to manage their emotions and their self-efficiency.

 

Range of activities

If patients don't feel confident enough to ride at first, there are other activities that they may find less intimidating. They can learn how to care for the horses, including grooming them, they can learn how to saddle them, and they can gain a knowledge of basic equestrian care until more trust is built.

These simple activities are the first building blocks of equine-assisted therapy, and as well as enhancing emotional wellbeing, the courses will also improve the functioning of patients' large muscle groups and fine motor skills.

Trained equine therapists are able to tailor the programme to cater to each patient's individual requirements, depending on their medical conditions.

The key techniques include cognitive therapy, play therapy and scheduling, and practicing activities that encourage participants to form a firm bond with the horse to improve self-esteem, motivation and confidence.

Today, equine-assisted therapy is used in different branches of medicine, including occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology and psychology. It is also used by social workers and recreational therapists.

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