Equine Therapy for Children

Animal companions have been proven to benefit their owners in many ways. In addition to providing comfort, company and unconditional love, pets also can boost the health of their human friends. Children seem particularly affected by contact with pets and therapy animals, and treatments such as equine therapy sometimes can have a drastic effect on a disabled child's morale and physical well-being.

  1. Background

    • Animal-assisted therapy is a form of physical or psychotherapy in which a team of qualified professionals, usually a licensed mental health professional and an animal expert, work together to outline and implement a program of activities that bring together therapy animals and disabled patients, often children. Equine therapy, also known as hippotherapy, is used to treat children with all types of handicaps who suffer from conditions ranging from low self-esteem and attention deficit disorder to autism and Rett syndrome. Working with the horse helps the patient become physically stronger and, in cases of mental and emotional handicap, can aid in getting a child to open up and discuss his feelings and troubles.

    Beyond Horseback Riding

    • Sometimes, equine therapy can be as simple as putting a disabled child on a horse and teaching him to ride. This type of equine therapy is good for physically challenged children, who can see an improvement in their balance, flexibility, mobility and overall strength. Hippotherapy also can benefit those with mental or behavioral handicaps because riding a horse can give the child a sense of independence that boosts her confidence and self-esteem. Also, the child may establish an emotional connection with her equine friend. Many forms of equine therapy, however, do not involve getting on the horse at all. Some therapies include simply having a child groom, feed and otherwise care for a horse. This form of therapy usually is geared toward children with emotional and behavioral disorders.

    Why Horses?

    • Children and horses often are paired because the two have a natural affinity for each other. In addition, horses require a great deal of attention, meaning the child must concentrate on caring for the animal rather than thinking about his own problems. Horses provide a challenge because of their size and strength; in order to work effectively with an equine, a child first must overcome any fears he may have. Horses are quite good at picking up on human emotions, making it necessary for the child to modify his behavior in order to get the desired results from the horse. In short, a child must remain calm himself in order to put the horse at ease and be able to work with it. This teaches a child that his behavior affects others, and it helps the patient learn to focus on a specific task. Taking care of another creature also instills a sense of responsibility, and bonding with a horse can be the first step in developing a child's ability to bond with other people.

    Mutual Benefits

    • While children involved in equine therapy programs can improve their self-esteem, confidence and overall physical health, they aren't the only ones who benefit from the programs. Equine therapy programs can be a saving grace for the horses as well. Many of the horses involved in these programs come from abusive homes or other situations in which they were neglected or mistreated. Equine therapy programs such as Sacred Heart Rescue in Sparta, Tennessee, take in these horses, give them the care they need, and train them to work with disabled children. The children then shower them with even more attention, care and love. Good adoptive homes are sought for horses that aren't admitted into the therapy programs.

    Effectiveness

    • A treatment that began mainly as a way to help the physically challenged regain their strength or recover from injuries has now developed into a widespread avenue for aiding children and adults with all kinds of disabilities, whether they are emotional, physical or mental. According to the Midwest Council for Children with Disabilities, a study of the effectiveness of hippotherapy on children with cerebral palsy, conducted by Tim L. Schurtleff, seems to prove that equine therapy for children really works. The anecdotal evidence also is convincing. There are stories crediting equine therapy with helping teen girls to overcome eating disorders, keeping inner city youths out of gangs, and aiding children and teens in overcoming depression and addiction, among other problems. Parents who are considering equine therapy for their children should make sure to enroll them in a quality program guided by professionals who are trained in equine therapy.