Most people have heard of some form of physical therapy. Well on horseback it is often called Hippotherapy, it is a commonly used for around 100 different conditions; autism, brain injuries, spinal cord injury, visual or hearing loss, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, as well as many other conditions. These diseases and conditions can benefit from riding horses, they can increase balance, confidence, mobility, flexibility, and muscle strength. When riding a horse it mimics the gait that a human makes when walking, so for those that can't walk, it is a way to walk again.
Since riding is similar to the human walk it strengthens the spine as well as improves posture and muscle tone. It has both physical and emotional benefits. When using a horse, it allows everyone to be on equal grounds and gives them a sense of freedom. I personally know how much horses have driven me to keep going since my accident. Participants can also learn companionship, confidence, responsibility, and educational skills.
In therapeutic riding, horses are trained in different ways to meet the needs of their riders. Horses can help with anxiety and depression as well as recover from trauma. Therapeutic horseback riding is made up certified therapists, staff, volunteers, as well as parents and family. I know after I rode for the first time since my accident, that it gave me a new mental boost as well as helped keeping my leg spasms under control. I'm hoping this Spring to get into a riding program near where I live.
Here is an example video of a therapeutic riding center I visited while in Maui. Where volunteers as well as my family helped me mount and ride again, the horses name is Jet.
I have a friend who needs to horse ride beause of depression, it has really helped her, everyone who has been with her since the start of her depression has noticed a real difference!
I have a friend who needs to horse ride beause of depression, it has really helped her, everyone who has been with her since the start of her depression has noticed a real difference!
I would honestly love to volunteer at a therapeutic riding center, but I'm most likely too young. However, this is an incredible article! I wasn't aware that it could help with visual/hearing loss.
I would honestly love to volunteer at a therapeutic riding center, but I'm most likely too young. However, this is an incredible article! I wasn't aware that it could help with visual/hearing loss.
I spent a short period at a Therapeutic riding facility (leading horses) and the change in the kids was really interesting. I've not seen people be affected like that so intensely ever before. Really cool experience.
I spent a short period at a Therapeutic riding facility (leading horses) and the change in the kids was really interesting. I've not seen people be affected like that so intensely ever before. Really cool experience.
Most people have heard of some form of physical therapy. Well on horseback it is often called Hippotherapy, it is a commonly used for around 100 different conditions; autism, brain injuries, spinal cord injury, visual or hearing l ...
Long before horse assisted therapy became mainstream, I was involved with helping give hippotherapy to a little girl who had suffered severely crippling injuries in a car accident. At the time, we knew nothing about riding for the ...
Horse’s and ponies have been helping humans for a very long time. In fact, they’ve been useful enough that we’ve kept them around despite their being extinct in the wild. But, in recent years, equines have become more than just be ...
With an awareness of what it takes to stay mentally health and recover from mental issues comes many, what seem like, novel approaches to treatments. One treatment is equine therapy designed to help those dealing with mental healt ...
Montessori schools are known for their child-led education programs that are a bit different than regular public schools. The focus of Montessori programs is to provide an enriched environment for discovery and hands-on learning f ...
Flirty, a Miniature Horse and service animal was possibly the first horse to fly inside the passenger compartment of a plane. Her handler, who is allergic to dogs, took Flirty on a short flight, and this short video documents the ...
Amid the frightening chaos and rush taking place as the Australian wildfires are being fought is a calming sound that helps both horses and humans. A woman transitioning from professional life as a doctor to retirement is offering ...
Recently, the FAA announced new regulations regarding service and emotional support animals on commercial airlines flights. Part of the new regulations recognize that horses are used in this capacity and they now allow miniature h ...
There seems to be a lot of confusion around the status of service animals. The controversy exists because of there are people who maintain their pets are emotional support animals, guide animals even though they are not officially ...
A new study suggests that kids with autism and ADHD may benefit from horseback riding lessons. Not only does riding help with motor function, strength, flexibility and dexterity, researchers also felt that that participants in the ...
Saying goodbye to anyone whether it be an animal or human can be painful, and for all of us when we lose someone we deal with grief in different ways. No one person will express there sadness in the same way.
Growing up I have ...
Often in the world you will see odd pairings between animals. Such Sheep and Elephant, bear and tiger, pig and cat. They come in all shapes, sizes, and breeds. Though they have on thing in common, they all have a bond of friendshi ...
I remember being one of the people wondering why anyone would own a small pony or miniature horse, until the day I came to own Willy Wonka. After my car accident that left me paralyzed I was having a difficult time at school, one ...
During my years in high school we had a program through my schools agriculture department called FFA, which was once known as Future Farmers of America. Although that name isn't used anymore because it let to the false belief that ...
After a long year of very little contact with horses, the day came. After my accident (you can read about in my previous article) I was left paralyzed never to walk again. Only on October 31st, 2011 I was given the opportunity to ...
We all have dreamt it, owning our own horse; I waited for so long I felt like giving up hope on owning one, until April 10, 2008 when I received a call from my step mom.
She had found a Quarter horse mare on Craigslist and was ...
On September 19th, 2010 I was in a car accident. My Chevy S10 truck fishtailed and lost traction on the road. It went off the road flipping on its side hitting a tree. The impact with the tree caused my side of the truck to pin me ...
By 
Most people have heard of some form of physical therapy. Well on horseback it is often called Hippotherapy, it is a commonly used for around 100 different conditions; autism, brain injuries, spinal cord injury, visual or hearing loss, down syndrome, cerebral palsy, as well as many other conditions. These diseases and conditions can benefit from riding horses, they can increase balance, confidence, mobility, flexibility, and muscle strength. When riding a horse it mimics the gait that a human makes when walking, so for those that can't walk, it is a way to walk again.
![Saying Goodbye To The Horses We Love [Video]](upload/news/2730_featured_thumb.jpg "Saying Goodbye To The Horses We Love [Video]")
![Suffolk Cross Yearling Sheep Bonds With Border Collie [Video]](upload/news/2498_featured_thumb.jpg "Suffolk Cross Yearling Sheep Bonds With Border Collie [Video]")
