|
There are three
agents at work within Equine Therapy:
- The horse
- The patient
- The multi-disciplinary support team
The horse
 It
is a docile animal with a large physical form and strength. It
allows us to ride on its back, touch and stroke it and becomes
a friend of the rider, in this case the equine therapy patient. All of
this creates an emotional relationship with horse which in turn becomes an
important character in the patient's life and a point of contact with the
world around him/her.
The
patient and horse establish a harmonious relationship and to act together.
The type of
relationship that is created is emotional and is established through
mutual trust.
Horseback
riding provides sensory input through movement that is variable, rhythmic
and repetitive. The
response of the patient to the horse's motion is similar to the movements of
the human pelvis when walking.
The variation in the horse's pace enables different degrees of the movement
sensations transmitted to the patient.
| |
- A walking horse transmits around 110 pulsations per minute to the rider, in a series of three-dimensional movements: back and forward, up and down, left and right and rotational. The stimulus generated my the horse is transmitted to all parts for the body.
- The horse is carefully selected for use by patients based on its movement and behavior.
- It is advisable that the horse is no taller than about 15 hands/1.60 meters to facilitate the work of assistants.
- A good horse should have a strong back, rounded hindquarters allowing a smooth step that is long and regular.
- For patients with grave physical disabilities, the horse must possess a long, rhythmic and regulated step.
- The horse should be docile, not scare easily, be at least 5 years old, in good physical and mental health, be obedient and be a gelding.
|
|
The patient
Anyone
can benefit from riding on horseback.
We can divide patients into two groups:
| 1. |
|
The
socially maladjusted that are willing and capable to work with the horse.
The objective is
to work on various areas: psychological, communicative, social and
learning. Not only riding the horse, but also participating in the work of
cleaning and preparing the horse. Equine
Therapy. |
 |
| |
|
|
| 2. |
|
Patients
with severe physical disabilities and/or psychological problems that
initially limit their interaction to riding/sitting on the horse. Examples
of these type of people are those with: cerebral palsy, multiple
sclerosis, anorexia, bulimia, chronic disease, spina bifida, muscular
dystrophy, neuro-degenerative diseases, diseases based trauma, brain
trauma, intellectual disability, autism, Down syndrome, behavioral
problems, drug addicts, criminals and many other disabling conditions. Hypotherapy. |
An
important aspect that is often overlooked is the leisure activity that the
horse gives in addition to the therapy. Equine Therapy, Hypotherapy and
Leisure in most cases end up as part of the overall therapy session.
The multi-disciplinary support team
Different professionals work in the Equine Therapy/Hypotherapy
multidisciplinary team.
The
team has professionals such as doctors, psychologists, educators,
occupational therapists for special education, physiotherapists, riding
instructors and stable-boys to assist in cleaning and preparing the horses.
|
