The last article in my series on how animals assist people will focus on the various ways that horses are used in therapeutic settings. 

Perhaps the best known programs are for physically and mentally disabled children and adults who are taught horseback riding as a means of exercising their bodies and their minds.  In nearby Hunterdon county the Somerset Hills Handicapped Riding Center (SHHRC) has been assisting  individuals with a variety of disabilities such as ADHD, Spina Bifida, language disorders, Autism, stroke, Muscular Dystrophy, Down Syndrome and many others.  Riders experience benefits from riding that no other traditional therapies can offer.  The movement of the horse stimulates a rider’s pelvis and trunk in ways that closely resembles movement of walking.  The rider enjoys a new found feeling which in turn is strengthening their body and increasing their range of motion and stamina.  The emotional benefits to the rider are immense as well.  The bond that is formed between rider and horse is unconditional and is not affected by the student’s limitations.  New friendships are formed with staff and volunteers offering valuable lessons in socialization. Independence is gained as even the smallest and most fragile rider learns how to guide and control the horse.  Imagine having been previously confined to a wheelchair and now you are astride a 1200 pound animal, telling it when to start, stop and which way to turn!  Cognitively horses can provide much needed motivation to the disabled rider.  Education milestones are reached in a novel environment where letter sequencing involves guiding the horse from one lettered area of an arena to the next and speech and language lessons take on all new importance when the goal is to start and stop your horse’s movements.  Therapeutic carriage driving is also offered at SHHRC. Offering many of the same benefits to the participant as riding, carriage driving is suitable for those where riding is not appropriate.

SHHRC also offers programs using Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.  These unique programs use horses to positively assist young persons who struggle with various emotional and personality issues that have not responded to traditional talk therapies.  The students learn such life skills as problem solving, conflict resolution, empathy and non-verbal communication through their activities with horses.  Horses do not judge, but they can be frightened. You must learn self-control and quiet mannerisms to be around a horse.  Horses will not roll their eyes at you or embarrass you, but they will respond negatively if you hurt them or annoy them.  A group of horses will not bully you, but to work effectively with that group of horse you may have to work as a team with others to accomplish a goal.  When combining equine assisted activities with more traditional therapy methods such as processing groups and talk therapy, youngsters learn to integrate their horse skills into life skills.

From dogs helping the blind to horses helping to teach a child to speak and walk, animals have the power to heal as well as simply improve the quality of our lives.  There are many opportunities for those of us who love pets to volunteer our time and resources to support the organizations that run these programs.  I encourage you to do so!

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