Animal lovers have long known the benefits of owning pets or even being around someone else’s pet for a few hours. Horses may not be the first creature that comes to mind when thinking about connecting with an animal, but it really is amazing how many people have benefitted from equine therapy.
Who can equine therapy help?
Research shows that people with depression, Down syndrome, substance abuse disorders, traumatic brain injury, dementia, and autism can see a benefit from working with horses – and this is just a partial list!
How does equine therapy help?
For some, just the act of riding a horse is therapeutic. But equine therapy goes deeper than this. Many people who have undergone this kind of therapy have marvelled at how the horse seems to know what they have been through and yet not only shows a type of unconditional acceptance of the person but also just the right response to them. They are also nonjudgmental and unbiased!
Horses can be used along with more traditional types of therapy to help get people outside and to learn how to see the world differently. It can be used with children, adults, and teenagers. And it isn’t just the act of riding a horse that provides benefits: learning to care for a horse establishes structure, increases problem-solving skills, and gives one the opportunity to get outside of self-absorbed or negative thoughts in order to nurture the horse and see to his needs. The other benefits include:
• Increased self esteem
• Increased self confidence
• An increase in social skills
• An improvement in communication
• Better impulse control
• Improvement of negative body issues
• Better management of emotions
• A way to build trust in oneself and others
When you get up close to a horse, they are somehow a lot bigger than you imagined they would be, and it can be a bit intimidating! However, there are so many benefits to overcoming this fear and making friends with a horse. Wasatch Crest Treatment offers equine therapy – call today to find out how it can help you. Call Wasatch Crest in Heber, Utah, at (800) 385-3507.
