Therapeutic Riding
Therapeutic Riding is using the movement of the horse to influence a
rider's strength, posture, balance, coordination, motor planning, head
and trunk control, speech, sensory integration, fine and visual motor
skills and many others! Socialization and self-esteem also improve in
participants. Therapeutic riding originated in the 1950's when a rider
with polio, Liz Hartel of Denmark, participated in the Olympic Games in
Dressage. This started the idea that people with disabilities could ride
horses. Later, came the idea that riding horses might be beneficial to
disabled people in more ways than just being fun.
As a horse walks, the rider is moved forward and back, side-to-side,
and the pelvis is rotated. These movements are the same type of movement
the human pelvis experiences if the person is walking. The cadence and
stride length of a horse is similar to that of a person as well. This
means that a person sitting on a horse, that cannot walk, or has minimal
use of their legs, receives the benefits of walking by riding. This
improves their muscle tone, balance, posture and coordination. Riders
also receive benefits in motor planning (thinking and planning movements
of arms, hands, legs and body to get the horse to walk, stop or turn).
The increased movement the rider experiences at the trot often elicits
speech or excited sounds from the rider, even if that rider is normally
not vocal. Speech therapists sometimes use 15-20 minutes of riding
before their speech therapy session to improve the client's ability to
vocalize sounds. On top of all the physical benefits the rider receives,
most find riding an enjoyable activity. They get to socialize with
volunteers, other riders and the horses. Many disabled people do not get
an opportunity to socialize in the community, or participate in
activities where they are considered equal to non-disabled people.
Therapeutic riding provides all these benefits and fun in one activity!
Who benefits from therapeutic riding?
Anyone with any disability can benefit from therapeutic riding. Our
program accepts clients from age 3-senior adults with any recognized
disability. About 50% of our current riders have some type of mental
disability. Some have multiple disabilities. There are some conditions
that are contraindicated for therapeutic riding. These are mainly from a
safety standpoint. We don't want hurt anyone. (The contraindications and
precautions are listed with the medical forms for riders.) Just because
someone has a condition listed doesn't mean they cannot participate. It
just means that we will need to talk with the rider, parents (if a
minor), and probably the doctor or a therapist. This insures we will
provide the best possible activity for that person. Our volunteers also
benefit by participating in classes. They get to work with the horses,
be outdoors, get exercise from walking during classes and meet new and
interesting people! |
