Equine - Assisted Learning & Therapeutic Riding
Physiological as well as psychological benefits have been scientifically documented in individuals during interactions with horses. These can include lowered heart rate, lowered blood pressure, increased beta-endorphine levels, decrease in stress and related cortisol levels, reduction in anger, hostility, tension, and anxiety, improved social awareness and functioning, increased self-awareness, self-esteem, trust, patience, focus, and empowerment. Young people who might ordinarily evade physical and emotional closeness with people, will potentially seek that same closeness with a horse. The bond that develops between a person and a horse can evolve into feelings of respect, trust, empathy, unconditional acceptance, assertiveness, responsibility, compassion, confidence, and can increase self-control as well as communication skills. Other useful, life-long skills can be achieved, such as understanding, forgiveness, consistency, boundaries, behavior and consequences, acceptance, strength, courage, and overcoming the fear of rejection.
Working with horses teaches people about themselves and their own emotional state, as a horse is a mirror and will respond in reaction to a person's behavior. Clients learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, as well as learn to recognize dysfunctional patterns of behavior. Insight is thus gained on a level sometimes not easily reached in traditional psychotherapy sessions.
The process begins with the client establishing a relationship with the horse on the ground. This will include care, health, grooming, walking, longeing, and exercising. The nurturing and development of that relationship will continue through ground work, and may advance into actual riding, depending on the needs of the client. Because of the individualized nature of this program, participation in each of the activities will be determined on a case by case basis.
Some of the conditions that can improve favorably with Equine-Assisted Learning & Therapeutic Riding are ADD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, phobias/fear, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, PTSD, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and tightness, oppositional defiant disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, poor motor skills, coordination, muscle strength, balance, self harming tendencies, high blood pressure, and autism.
Attire : blue jeans, comfortable shirt, closed toe shoe with heel, work gloves (not mandatory, but suggested), and helmet (mandatory for riding - we will provide one if you do not have one)
Working with horses teaches people about themselves and their own emotional state, as a horse is a mirror and will respond in reaction to a person's behavior. Clients learn the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, as well as learn to recognize dysfunctional patterns of behavior. Insight is thus gained on a level sometimes not easily reached in traditional psychotherapy sessions.
The process begins with the client establishing a relationship with the horse on the ground. This will include care, health, grooming, walking, longeing, and exercising. The nurturing and development of that relationship will continue through ground work, and may advance into actual riding, depending on the needs of the client. Because of the individualized nature of this program, participation in each of the activities will be determined on a case by case basis.
Some of the conditions that can improve favorably with Equine-Assisted Learning & Therapeutic Riding are ADD, ADHD, depression, anxiety, phobias/fear, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, PTSD, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms and tightness, oppositional defiant disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, eating disorders, poor motor skills, coordination, muscle strength, balance, self harming tendencies, high blood pressure, and autism.
Attire : blue jeans, comfortable shirt, closed toe shoe with heel, work gloves (not mandatory, but suggested), and helmet (mandatory for riding - we will provide one if you do not have one)