The Benefits Of Equine Therapy

For centuries horses have been a part of the development of the human race. Horses have had various roles including transportation, hunting companions, laborers, and assisting therapists. As the world of therapy continues to expand, therapist are discovering that equestrian therapy is beneficial to an array of patients by combining their normal therapy requirements with stimulating activities on and with the horses to develop necessary skill sets and self-confidence.
Horse therapy has not always been a part of rehabilitation for therapy patients, but in the last 50 years it has become the method of choice when dealing with patients who struggle to connect with other human beings. Therapeutic horseback riding most likely began with the Greeks and the Romans. “ Historians believe that.... they may have used horses in exercises to help injured warriors recover”
“It was not until the 1960s when the first riding centers in North America began” (What is Equine Therapy?" Equine Assisted Psychotherapy). Horse therapy can be referred to many different ways. It is also known as Equine Therapy, Equine-Assisted Therapy, Hippotherapy, and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy. “ Equine therapy is the discipline of using horses as a means to provide metaphoric experiences in order to promote emotional growth (and physical growth). The horses provide an excellent way for troubled youth to react when they are otherwise therapy resistant” (What is Equine Therapy?" Equine Assisted Psychotherapy). These experiences apply to all different kinds of patients not just troubled youth. With the help of the horses, certified horse therapist help the patients to open up and gain