Equestrian Therapy
Equestrian therapy uses the horse as an emotional tool to help patients build connections and find emotional support.
In the video to the right a young women expresses some personal trials she faced during her past. Some of these trials include drug and substance abuse. As she builds a connection with her horse the therapist has the young women use the horse to try different simulations. These simulations help the young woman teach herself how to avoid temptations of slipping back into old habits. (Bit of Hope Ranch, 2014) This is just one of the many ways horses can be used. Typically Equestrian therapy is given through a certified and licenses equine therapist. These instructors are trained just as any other therapist is, but with an added bonus of using a horse. |
(Bit of Hope Ranch, 2014)
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"In the process, equestrian or equine therapy aims for its patients or students to:
( Equestrian Therapy, 2015)
- Build sense of self-worth, self-concept
- Improve communication
- Build trust and self-efficiency
- Develop socialization skills and decrease isolation
- Learn impulse control and emotional management
- Set perspective
- Learn their limits or boundaries"
( Equestrian Therapy, 2015)