What you should know about equine therapy
Equine therapy is a treatment that uses horses to achieve rehabilitation goals and is supervised by a medical professional, usually a licensed psychotherapist or physical therapist. Equine Assisted Therapy Australia is used by addiction treatment centers, groups of the elderly, and trauma centers. This type of therapy does not consist of teaching the patient to ride, but rather a professional physiotherapist places him on the horse so that the movement stimulates his body and facilitates rehabilitation.
Is equine therapy effective?
Loyal, loving, and trustworthy, horses are animals that humans have always bonded with almost effortlessly. Even the ancient Greeks noted that unstable people seemed calmer and happier when interacting with a horse. The gentle and patient nature helps rebuild trust in people suffering from psychological or physical problems.
Horses are large and powerful animals, and they can often intimidate inexperienced people around them. However, equine-assisted therapy is designed to help people overcome that initial intimidation to develop a deep and lasting bond with the animal.
Horses also have distinct personalities that support the bonding effect necessary for equine therapy qld patients to achieve their program goals. Like people, horses can be outgoing, shy, a bit stubborn, and genuinely affectionate. Nothing is more therapeutic than knowing that you have a loyal and loving friend who will greet you every day with tail flicks, “noses,” and a deep desire for your company.
For which people is equine therapy recommended?
Equine Assisted Therapist is beneficial for people with the following problems: anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorders, substance addiction, attention deficit and hyperactive disorder, autism spectrum disorders, traumatic brain injury / neurological damage, and musculoskeletal diseases/disorders.
The effectiveness of equine therapy queensl is also evident in people with eating disorders. They benefit from the unconditional acceptance that horses offer. Raising and caring for a horse has potentiating effects in most patients with eating disorders. It helps them process painful memories and emotions associated with the negative image they have of their bodies.
Horses are sensitive animals that immediately identify with the humans who care for them. They react to body language and reflect the mood of their caregiver. The horse can be the perfect and non-judgmental therapist by providing a non-verbal understanding of people’s negative behaviours.
For whom it is
Equine-assisted psychotherapy is often not the only form of treatment but rather a complementary therapeutic service used in association with more traditional treatment.
By offering a very different experience to traditional talk therapy, EAP takes people outdoors and offers the opportunity to use all senses while learning and processing through emotional challenges.
Children and adolescents
Equine-facilitated psychotherapy can be as effective with children and adolescents as it is with adult clients. As with adults, children can experience challenges like trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and more.
Most of the children who participate in EAP are between the ages of 6 and 18. Equine-assisted psychotherapy allows young people and people of all ages to work on topics such as:
- Assertiveness
- Confidence
- Develop and maintain relationships
- Emotional awareness
- Empathy
- Impulse control
- Problem-solving skills
- Social skills
- Trust others
Believe in yourself