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Pros and cons of equine physiotherapy
Pros and cons of equine physiotherapy
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a. Horse integrated therapy more specifically, therapeutic horseback riding (THR) first “originated in Denmark in 1952 when Madame Lis Hartel, wheelchair dependent due to polio, rehabilitated herself and later won Olympic medals with her horse” (Gabriels et al., 2012). b. The idea of riding horses for therapy and rehabilitation purposes spread in the 1960s from Denmark, England, and Norway then finally to the U.S. and Canada. c. Ever since then, patients in the U.S. that have a wide range of disabilities have used therapeutic horseback riding to improve physical, emotional/temperament, and cognitive functions. d. As cited from Engel, “In order to standardize this growing industry, in 1969, the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association …show more content…
Within this group are interventions that could be both horse directed therapy and horse activities. 2. What exactly is Animal Integrated Therapy? a. Animal integrated therapy has been defined as “using animals within a goal oriented setting to implement treatment”, which has shown to help cognitively, psychologically, and socially to great extent (Fine, 2006). 3. Now what is Horse Integrated Therapy? a. Horse integrated therapy is defined as using horseback riding activities to improve posture, balance, and mobility while developing a therapeutic bond between the patient and horse (All, Loving, & Crane, 1999) b. Margaret M. Bass, Maria M. Llabre, and Catherine A. Duchowny conducted a study on the possible effects horseback riding has on the social functioning on children with autism. i. Results showed that “autistic children exposed to therapeutic horseback riding exhibited greater sensory seeking, sensory sensitivity, social motivation, and less inattention, distractibility, and sedentary behaviors” (Bass, Llabre, & Duchowny, 2009). ii. The results they’ve gathered had provided evidence showing with the help of therapeutic horseback riding, this may prove to be a viable therapeutic option in regards to treating children with autism spectrum
A western horse can be trained in team penning, cutting, reining, speed games, trail classes, pleasure and equitation classes, roping, and trail riding. An english horse can be trained in dressage, english or english country pleasure, jumping, hunting, mounted games, polo, and hunter pace. Both horses can be trained in trail riding, endurance riding, competitive trail riding, mounted orienteering, and shown in open shows as an all around
Although Ferguson and Rosales-Ruiz (2001) conducted a study with horses, their findings can be replicated and generalized to humans as well. Schmidt, Luiselli, Rue, and Whalley (2013) developed a similar study involving an adolescent boy with Autism. This participant was a student who consistently avoided the music room, gymnasium, and gross-mot...
Hippotherapy, a specialized form of equine therapy, “is a physical, occupational or speech and language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes equine movement. Hippotherapy literally means ‘treatment with the help of the horse’ from the Greek word, "hippos" meaning horse” (“Hippotherapy.”). Equine therapy is an all-encompassing type of therapy that includes riding horses, learning about the horse as a creature, the physical activity involved in horseback riding, and much more. Hippotherapy also requires a licensed, specially-trained therapist to teach and oversee lessons because of the hands-on nature of this method while therapeutic riding only requires a professional horseback-riding instructor, typically with some background in physical or occupational therapy Hippotherapy riders usually have more severe deficits and, therefore, hippotherapy is a little bit more intense than physical therapy. Both hippotherapy and therapeutic riding can utilize the unique movement of a horse to “assist in meeting therapy goals.” The horse’s gait mimics that of a human, and for that reason, horses can aid in the treatment of patients with physical disabilities such as cerebral palsy and the rehabilitation of injured people such as
When riding a horse you don’t just sit there and do nothing, You work hard to control a 800-1000 pound animal. You have to push your horse and yourself to the greatest you can be. It is a lot of work, it is just like any other sport. You have to go ride your horse at least 4 times a week, you practice in the wind, rain, snow, when it’s hot out, and event when it is freezing cold.
Young, Rhoria Lee, and Maggie Bracher. "Horsemastership part 2: Physical, psychological, educational and social benefits." International Journal of Therapy & Rehabilitation 12.3 (2005): 120-125. Web. 8 Mar. 2011.
For decades, Scientists have contemplated the idea of using horses for the personal gain of children and adults with needs such as autism, heart conditions, anxiety, stress, and other disorders that have yet to be curable. Horses such as Chester, a twenty year old gelding has encouraged more young riders who face difficulties such as social skills, behavior skills, and those who are physically indisposed. The phrase confidence is key, becomes important when people of all ages interact with a horse. Learning confidence may not be as easy as it sounds but is a necessary step to bond with a horse; without it, there can be no trust and most importantly, no bond between the equine and its rider.
In 1997, when Michigan native Jo Anne Normile's children left home, she found herself looking for something to do with her free time. The kids had always been interested in horses; Normile decided to get involved herself. She leased a broodmare for one dollar, picked out a stallion and was soon in the racing business. A hands-on owner, Normile found herself constantly at the track. One day, a trainer asked her to look at a horse he needed to sell- gorgeous, sound and tall, but not fast enough to race. Normile couldn't buy a third horse, but took it upon herself to contact several of the barns she knew from her children's participation in equine sports to see if she could find someone who could. Normile now realized that there was a need for
Training a horse to ride is hard work, it involves ground work, riding, and in both patience is very important. In the next few paragraphs I will be explaining the steps needed to train a horse.
With over nine million types of horses in the United States, the need for quality health care for the horses has never been stronger. It’s certain that more equine veterinarians than ever before will be needed in the years to come to provide the care that owners want for their horses. According to the American Association of equine practitioners (AAEP), nearly half of the equine veterinarians are involved with performance horses(44.8%). The AVMA’S most recent employment survey of 2016 indicated that there were about 3,874 veterinarians in exclusively equine practice, with and additional 4,177 involved in mixed practices.
Most people are familiar with service dogs and have seen them in action. Animal-assisted therapy is similar service animals in that an animal-human healing partnership is being created. However, the difference is that therapy pets are typically used to treat a mental disability whereas people with physical disabilities use service dogs to help them in many ways. Therapy animals are used in a wide variety of places, such as, hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, therapy sessions, mental healthcare facilities, and even in people’s homes. These amazing animals are used on a wide variety of different disorders, but they are utilized mostly by people suffering from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. For people with these mental health disorders, everything in live can be difficult and challenging, however with the help of animal-assisted therapy, their mood, motivation, and life can dramatically improve. Anyone who hears about these brave, loving animals soon falls in love with them. From a medical standpoint, there have been many successful studies and the support for animal-assisted therapy still continues to grow in doctors and therapists across the nation.
A variety of researchers have studied the efficacy of therapeutic horseback riding on the social skills of children with autism and other disabilities and emphasized its positive results” (Ghorban, et al). Equine Therapy has a positive effect on social skills with children with special needs. In arguing this claim, Dingman argues that “the social and emotional connections proves the horse’s rhythmic, repetitive movements which work to improve a rider’s social development and motor skills. Children who have trouble relating to humans often learn through interactions with horses how to communicate with peers. (Dingman). The children with social anxiety can make friends and be social instantly at the barn speaking about horses. In Equestrian Therapy it describes “The correct interaction of the child with the horse also serves as an essential tool for improving the social skills of the child with respect to humans” (“Equestrian Therapy”). Social skills are developed and improved with Equine Therapy.
Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that effects the brains development. It is characterized by affecting communication, cognition and social interaction. The spectrum of the disorders ranges from a mild condition called Asperger’s syndrome to a more severe form, which severely impairer’s development. The Office of Communications and Public Liaison states that the disorder affects one and eighty-eight children, however ASD effects boys more frequently than girls (Office of Communications and Public Liaison, 2013). ASD emerges in all age, ethnic and socioeconomic groups. The significant varied character and severity of the disorder is why ASD is considered a spectrum that poses a broad range of symptoms.
The first thing she worried about after she woke up in the hospital was being able to ride again. She had taken riding lessons since she was three. Her dad bought her a Palomino barrel horse when they moved to Utah. She started competing in rodeos when she was seven. Her mom got her into pole bending, barrel racing, and breakaway roping. She did the best in barrel racing. That was her favorite event. She thought that after the accident she would be able to get back on her horses just like she used to. But it wasn’t the same. Her balance was very bad and she could barely stay on. She got so upset that she couldn’t ride anymore that she told her mom to go sell the horses and that she would never see them again. She would not go near them. Then one day she got a phone call for an interview. They asked her to sit on her horse and for them to take a picture for the interview. She decided to give it one more try and her balance was better than it was before. They started working with her some more and they figured out a way for her to ride again. They put straps on her saddle so her legs wouldn't fly everywhere and they also put a seatbelt on her saddle so she would stay in. They also taught the horses to listen to her voice and not her
In the field of therapy, there are numerous of therapy available out there for different type of individuals and situations as well. There is one type of therapy that usually contains people and animal, it is animal-assisted therapy is a therapeutic approach that brings animals and individuals with physical and/or emotional needs together to perform the therapy. Animal-assisted therapy tend to be focused on individuals either children or elderly for them to be able to connect with the animal thus feeling comfortable talking with the therapist. Pet therapy works for all ages, whether sick or not (Lanchnit, 2011). Although, this paper, most of the focus is on animal-assisted therapy towards children using dogs.
Animals have been human companions for many centuries providing a source of peace and calm to those around them; however the use of animals in a structured therapy environment is a fairly recent phenomenon. Animal therapy involves bringing animals into the healing process, which can has been proven effective in aiding many types of people. Whether it be a dog, cat, bird, rabbit, or even a horse, all types of animals can be trained to help the emotional and physical health of people in simple and extraordinary ways. The use of animal therapy with highly trained animals can benefit the emotional and physical health of a variety of people, including children, the elderly, and individuals with unique circumstances. Healing can take many different forms, such as companionship for a child, throwing a ball for a dog, students petting dogs before a test, or even simply stroking a soft animal.