WHY HORSEBACK RIDING?
Horseback riding helps mentally and physically challenged people, achieve a
quality of life that is improved, enhanced, and enriched. Based on input from
doctors, therapists, teachers and parents, the student's individual goals are
designed to complement ongoing therapy and education. The benefits of
therapeutic horsemanship are fourfold in addition to being a recreational
activity:
Mentally, the stimulation of riding and the bonding of the horse and rider
increase the motivation to learn. The horse reinforces directionality and the
riders learn sequencing when they learn to groom and saddle their horse. Also,
through riding, the rider is benefited by improved concentration.
Physically, the three-dimensional motion of the horse provides the rider
hip and back action that simulates natural walking. No matter how difficult it
is for a person to exercise otherwise, overall body tone is improved. Riding
gives a new freedom to those in wheelchairs. The horse stimulates all the
body's functions as well as improves posture, balance, and coordination and
strengthens & relaxes muscles and increases joint mobility.
Emotionally, contact with horse and horsemanship training provides a
non-competitive setting for learning. New abilities, increased
self-discipline, improved concentration all help to build self-confidence and
self esteem.
Socially, horseback riding nurtures a positive self image. Riders may, for
the first time in their lives, experience some independence and a sense of
being part of a team. The rider learns new skills, gains new confidence and
begins to participate in a sport. The benefits are incalculable, but obvious
to all of us.
When a person with a disability rides a horse, the horse becomes that
person's equalizer. He is performing as a normal person. The horse is a live
animal that responds and shows emotion. He's mobile, he's large, lifting the
person up both psychologically and physically.
It is important to remember that the horse is held and not led. The child
is taught to ride, he is not just taken for a ride.
