Equine Therapy Heals Emotional and Physical Wounds

Horses are not only beautiful creatures, but they can help people heal in the most amazing ways. Science has proven that having a pet can benefit humans in many ways - it brings your heart rate down, calms your nerves, wards off depression and even makes you live longer. A horse, on the other hand can do so much more. Not only are they wonderful pets but riding them is a very effective form of therapy to heal emotional and physical wounds. This type of therapy is called equine therapy.

There are numerous organizations which provide equine therapy to young and old people alike. There is no need for the person to have any kind of horse experience, because there are always trained professionals available to guide the patient through his or her experience. Equine therapy generally focuses on individuals who have disabilities or cognitive problems. Individuals who have suffered a large trauma or experience depression, anxiety or stress will also find this treatment especially helpful. The power of riding such a powerful animal that is also so gentle can produce results like nothing else.  People who are involved in equine therapy report that bonding with the horses is both soothing and grounding the experience cannot be compared to any other. Individuals with disabilities will find equine therapy to be extremely helpful because it is one activity that they can do where no judgment is passed against them. Equine therapy has even been found to be effective for those who have eating disorders. The treatment involves teaching individuals horsemanship skills such as grooming, feeding, leading the riding. Basically, it teaches them communication between themselves and the horse. People who have eating disorders commonly have a very hard time with communication, and equine therapy can help them with this without the added pressure of human contact and judgment.

Equine therapy can be performed with a group or alone depending on the circumstances. The horses involved are generally very well trained and have a calm demeanor which puts the patient at ease. Usually once the patient and the horse have come to know one another and feel comfortable, they are able to ride alone.