Therapeutic
Riding and Driving - Facts and FAQ's
Animals offer all of us
the chance to connect with another living being. Children
and animals
are natural companions. For children with disabilities, that
companionship can also include invaluable physical and emotional
therapy.
Facts& FAQ'S about
Therapeutic Riding
Although there are
no comprehensive national statistics, there's no
doubt that the number of programs that use animals
to work
with children with disabilities
is growing. And
some of these programs are producing interesting
and promising results. But, the biggest benefit
is the relationship
children
develop with the animals. They become comfortable
with them, and they learn the responsibility of
caring for
another living being.
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Eighty percent of people who work with disabled children
and horses are volunteers.
Riding horses specifically for therapeutic purposes has
helped kids with diverse disabilities, including Down syndrome,
Autism, Eating Disorders and Substance Abuse, according
to the North American
Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), a non-profit organization that promotes the use
of horses to benefit people with physical, emotional and
learning disabilities.
Riding can improve muscle tone, balance,
posture, coordination, motor development and emotional
well-being, according to
NARHA.
Horses That Heal
Question: What is Therapeutic
Riding?
Answer: Therapeutic
Riding creates new opportunities for
physical, mental and emotional rehabilitation.
The rhythmic and rocking gait of the
horse transfers a gentle three-dimensional
movement to the rider that relaxes
muscles, improves muscle tone, flexibility
and balance, and enhances spatial awareness.
Outdoors with a team of encouraging
volunteers and a supportive horse,
self-control, self-esteem, self-confidence
and independence grows. Rehabilitation
becomes a joy rather than a chore.
Types of Treatment
Question: What
are the different types of Therapeutic
Riding available?
Answer: There are in
general, three types of Therapeutic Riding.
The names and descriptions of each follow below:
- Therapeutic Riding is an
individualized program of learning to ride a horse
which takes into account a person's physical, mental,
and emotional strengths and limitations.
- Hippotherapy is physical
therapy that utilizes the natural movement of the horse
to help riders regain physical strength, mobility,
and coordination.
- Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy
(EFP) is a combination of Therapeutic Riding and traditional
Psychotherapy.
Treatment of Disabilities
Question: What types
of disabilities or conditions is Therapeutic
Riding used to treat?
Answer: Therapeutic
Riding is a growing and widely-accepted treatment
for rehabilitating a range of physical, mental,
and emotional disabilities. Conditions served
include: cerebral palsy, spina bifida, neuromuscular
disorders, post-traumatic brain injury, autism,
ADHD, and cognitive disorders. Riders experience
increased self-confidence and improvement
in strength, balance, coordination, attention
span, language and social skills.
Direct Benefits
Question: What
Direct Benefits does Therapeutic Riding provide?
Answer: Therapeutic
Riding has been shown to provide benefits
for the conditions mentioned above as well
as the following:
- Normalizes muscle strength
and tone. Improves coordination, freedom of movement,
balance, respiration, body awareness, tactile perception
and oral motor control.
- Improves interpersonal
communication. Promotes family interaction and broadens
social activity. Develops a recreational skill.
- Improves physical, mental,
social and emotional well-being.
- Enhances self-image and
confidence. Increases acceptance of unfamilar experiences.
Develops loving relationships.
- Provides educational, recreational
and vocational opportunities.
Therapeutic Driving
Question: What is Therapeutic
Driving?
Answer: Using a horse
and carriage gives participants an alternative
or an addition to riding, opening up the
world of horses to those who may be unable
to ride due to weight, balance, fatigue,
fear of heights, the inability to sit astride,
or other issues.
Therapeutic Driving offers individuals with physical, mental, sensory, or emotional
conditions the rewards of interaction and control of a horse or pony while driving
from a carriage seat or in their own wheelchair.
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