“My advice to other disabled people would be to concentrate on things your disability doesn’t prevent you from doing well, and don’t regret the things it interferes with. Don’t be disabled in spirit as well as physically.” -- Stephen Hawking
Think about the wide variety of therapies available for people with different disabilities: seeing a psychiatrist, yoga and meditation, aquatic therapy, art therapy, physical therapy, and exercise, massage therapy… retail therapy? Just kidding about that last one, but you get the point. Just like medications, some types of therapies work for some people and others don’t. Therapeutic horseback riding is another form of therapy that has proven to be successful in both children and adults who have been diagnosed with autism, cerebral palsy, anxiety and depression disorders, ADD or ADHD, cognitive deficits, eating disorders, learning disabilities and behavioral problems, substance abuse, PTSD, spinal cord injury, and so many more. But why?
I don’t think I need to point out that horses are large animals and appear even bigger to children. Individuals with disabilities such as autism, PTSD, or anxiety may feel uncomfortable in this new situation, especially with this huge and unfamiliar animal. But a nice side effect of therapeutic riding is building trust. You have to trust this huge thing not to kick you off as soon as you get on its back or step on you when you are walking around the barn.
Riding a horse requires a lot of skill. First of all, it requires muscle strength and coordination. The rider does have to shift their weight to be able to balance while the horse is walking or trotting, so you may see improvements in posture and overall balance, and faster reflexes. This can be especially helpful in those with disabilities that affect muscle movement such as cerebral palsy.
Fine motor skills also have a chance to get tuned in this process. While your posture, core muscles, and overall balance is improving, those fine motor skills are getting attention at the same time! Small muscle movements are used when riders hold and adjust the reins appropriately, help put the saddle on the horse, and more.
Since volunteers and instructors will naturally be around at all times, riders seem to have improved social interaction. If a person is having trouble functioning in a way that hinders their everyday activities because of aggression or anger, expressing that anger and opening up to the instructors may have a positive impact on their lives. Think of the instructors like a good friend to vent to, or a therapist (though they aren't qualified to give any professional advice).
Therapeutic horseback riding sometimes helps riders achieve higher self-esteem. We feel good about ourselves when we learn a new skill, right? I'd say horseback riding is considered learning something new. When we make a mistake while learning, it’s tempting to give up, but when we don’t give up we feel like we have the ability to confidently take on new tasks.
It gives riders the feeling of responsibility and self-efficacy. I have personally heard a story of a person diagnosed with depression who participates in therapeutic riding. One of her favorite parts is taking care of the horse (brushing, feeding, helping with the saddle). Her depression often makes her feel “useless” and takes away her motivation, but those feelings often go away when she believes what she is doing has a purpose, and she is enjoying what she is doing. She mentioned that this is good for those fighting addiction as well.
Riding horses is also just a fun way to get out there. Therapeutic or not, I encourage you to go horseback riding if you have never tried it. It’s relaxing and it’s fun. It’s therapeutic!
People often appear to have a special connection to animals, but therapeutic riding isn’t for everybody. Some people don’t click with the horses. Some people are allergic to all of the, well, allergens that are around the barn and outside. And some people just don’t find it relaxing, and that’s okay! It’s just a good idea to try different therapy options until one just feels “right.”
If you or someone you know is interested in trying, I encourage you to do some research and find a barn close to you that offers therapeutic riding.
Here in Charleston, South Carolina, Rein and Shine is a great organization that offers therapeutic riding locally. They are always looking for volunteers to feed the horses, handle the horses, become a side walker, to help with barn maintenance and office work. Visit their website or Facebook page if you’d like more information. And like I said, if you don’t live in the area, look into it if it sounds like something you or someone you know would be interested in!
