Why A Horse? - Horse Therapy Helps Kids Cope With Disability
Adapted from Tree of the Saddle by Christine Murray, Developmental Therapist, Monica Salazar, Physical Therapist, Kim Pappas, Parent and NADS member
Equine Facilitated Therapy, formally called Hippotherapy, is a treatment approach that uses the multidimensional movement of a horse to help children with special needs achieve developmental milestones. Specific riding lessons are not involved; rather, licensed therapists use the movements of a horse as a therapeutic tool to facilitate neurological function and improve sensory processing. The horse helps children improve balance, posture, endurance, motor planning, coordination, and head and trunk control. It also helps by building a child's sense of accomplishment and self-esteem.
So what is so special about a horse anyway?
Equine Facilitated Therapy, formally called Hippotherapy, is a treatment approach that uses the multidimensional movement of a horse to help children with special needs achieve developmental milestones. Specific riding lessons are not involved; rather, licensed therapists use the movements of a horse as a therapeutic tool to facilitate neurological function and improve sensory processing. The horse helps children improve balance, posture, endurance, motor planning, coordination, and head and trunk control. It also helps by building a child's sense of accomplishment and self-esteem.
So what is so special about a horse anyway?
- NEUROLOGIC: The horse's walk simulates the human walk with all of it's complexities. Nothing else can reproduce this complex movement.
- PHYSICAL: The horse requires the person on it's back, in whatever position, to wake-up and kick in muscles that are used for all functional movement. How? By weight shifting and forcing the person to move with him causing the person to counter move in return.
- SPEECH: The horse's smooth and rhythmical movement facilitates motor movement in the patient, including the finest motor muscles. Clinical and scientific studies validated that the movement of the horse automatically facilitates speech, as well as other related effects such as respiration.
- EMOTIONAL: There is an unavoidable bond between the child and horse which enhances the trusting relationship that needs to be build amongst the therapist, child, and parent. Unremittingly, the child's confidence increases when this tool is used in therapy.
- COGNITIVE: Several studies have demonstrated the importance of movement in the development of a child's mind. Not only is the cognitive status increased, but also the characteristics of speech are an added "freebie" when using the horse as a therapeutic tool.
- PSYCHOLOGICAL: Patients reap many benefits in this area as in self-esteem, confidence, and self image. This area tends to be least addressed in traditional therapy, yet using the horse as a tool assists with the multidisciplinary approach.
- SENSORY: This is a walking, all-encompassing, sensory tool in one. The horse and his attached environment provide vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, visual, auditory, olfactory, gustatory input that is directed by therapist to address the sensory needs of the child while training on function.
- Another use for horses is pleasure riding, which can be done by any age.