Equine Therapy, also known as equine-assisted therapy, uses horses to help people reach their physical, emotional, and mental goals. It has become increasingly popular in recent years due to its many benefits. In this blog post, we will explore 3 reasons Equine Therapy is a great option for individuals looking to improve their overall health and wellbeing. Equine Therapy, also known as Hippotherapy, is a form of physical, occupational, and psychological therapy that utilizes horses as a therapeutic tool. It is an evidence-based practice used to successfully treat a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional issues in adults and children. With its unique approach, Equine Therapy can have a profound impact on individuals seeking to improve their overall wellbeing.
1. Helps With Anxiety
Equine therapy, also known as horse therapy, is a powerful tool to help those struggling with anxiety. This form of therapy involves interacting with horses and can be used to address anxiety symptoms, both short-term and long-term. During equine therapy sessions, individuals learn how to interact with the horses in a safe environment and are able to observe the animal’s non-verbal cues. As they spend time around the horse, their anxiety levels are slowly reduced, allowing them to face difficult situations and emotions in a more relaxed manner. Studies have found that equine therapy is effective for individuals of all ages who struggle with anxiety and it can help people find a sense of calm and peace. Additionally, equine therapy helps to promote self-confidence and encourages healthy communication skills.
2.Helps With Depression
Depression can be a difficult mental health disorder to manage and many people seek alternative therapies to help them cope with their condition. Horse therapy, or equine-assisted therapy, has been gaining popularity as an effective treatment for depression. This type of therapy uses horses as a way of helping individuals gain insight and perspective into their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors related to depression. In horse therapy, people interact with horses in various activities including grooming, riding, leading, and problem-solving.
The connection between horses and humans provides a unique opportunity for self-exploration and understanding of the challenges of depression. Horses are incredibly intuitive animals and have a natural ability to sense our emotions and respond accordingly. Through engaging with horses, people can gain insight into how their behaviour impacts their environment and learn how to manage their depression more effectively. Horse therapy also offers the opportunity for individuals to develop skills in communication and social interaction.
Studies have found that people who participate in horse therapy experience positive outcomes such as improved mood, self-confidence, and decreased symptoms of depression. People often report feeling more relaxed and in tune with themselves after engaging with horses. Equine-assisted therapy is an excellent option for those seeking an alternative approach to managing their depression.
3. Teaches Responsibility
Horse therapy, or Equine Therapy, is a form of therapy that utilizes horses to help people gain responsibility. Horse therapy teaches participants how to care for and interact with the horse in a positive and nurturing manner, helping to promote positive life skills and self-awareness. Through caring for a horse and interacting with it, individuals can learn responsibility and decision-making skills that they can apply to their everyday life. Horse therapy sessions often involve activities such as grooming the horse, teaching it commands, and riding it, all of which encourage taking responsibility for the horse’s wellbeing and your own. These experiences can help individuals build trust, respect and empathy for themselves and for the horse. As a result, participants can learn to become more responsible and respectful of themselves, others, and animals.
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Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.