1. Equine Therapy For Children With Disabilities
By:
Courtney Fischer
Kristin Ripplinger

2. History: Early recognition 460 BC Therapeutic Riding in 1875
French neurologist discovered the improvement of balance,
motion and muscle control
in his patients.
United States 1969
North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA)
Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA)

3. " When on a horse, your strengths are combined,
Today: What It Is…
" When on a horse, your strengths are combined,
and your weaknesses diminished." -(quote by Neil Cutler, a disabled rider)
Equine Assisted Activities and Therapies
-Therapeutic riding, driving, and vaulting
-Equine facilitated mental health programs
(Psychotherapy)
-Hippotherapy

4. TODAY: What It Is… Goals/Beliefs/Lessons:
-Assist in reaching goals set by the mental health professional and the client
-Empowerment and decision
making opportunities
-Goals may be related to self- improvement, social interaction, increased awareness, and or education.

5. Disabilities: Autism Cerebral Palsy Muscular Dystrophy Down Syndrome
Spina Bifida
Multiple Sclerosis
Traumatic Brain Injury
Developmental Delay
Sensory Impairments

6. Personal Improvements:
“Riding a horse makes someone small feel large, long-legged and powerful.-”
- Hoop Prints Equine Therapy for Autistic Children
Riding helps children to …
-work with their hands
-gain confidence
-learn new skills
Children with Physical Disabilities work on their…
-muscle tone
-balance
-strength
Equine Therapy helps a child as a whole:
-socially
-emotionally
-mentally
-physically

7. Characteristics Of Horses:
“A dog looks up to a man, a cat looks down on a man, but a patient horse looks a man in the eye and sees him as an equal.”
-Anonymous
Horses naturally have:
-patience
-loyalty
-a quiet way of listening
- and responding
Horses also require
… lots of care.

8. Relationship Between Horse And Man:
“The relationship between man and horse
is as old as man himself.”
-The History and Development of Equine Therapy
A relationship between a horse and rider can increase
-confidence
-patience
-self-esteem
Developing a bond that lessons:
-loneliness
-depression
-isolation
Children can connect with horses because they are
-fearful
-untrustworthy
-shy

9. Activities: Mental: -Naming Obstacles -Performing Tasks from Horseback
Physical:
-Directing the Horse
-Lunging
-Handling
-Grooming
-Vaulting
-Driving
- Approaching a Horse
Lessons:
-Learning to Ride
-Life Lessons:
- Trust, Confidence, Responsibility and Respect

10. Benefits Of The Body: Speech Smile Laugh Strength of Muscles
Confidence
Muscle Control
Muscle Relaxation
Posture
Hand- Eye Coordination

11. Benefits Of The Mind: Building Relationships
Inner Personal Effectiveness – Emotions
Self – Esteem
Confidence
Communication
Trust
Decreases Depression
Boundaries
Team Work
Hand-Eye Coordination
Exercises Working the Mind
Honesty, Patience, and Respect
Proper Use of Power and Control

12. Benefits Of The Spirit:
“A man on a horse is spiritually as well as physically bigger than a man on foot.”
-John Steinbeck, The Red Pony
The connection between
… horse and individual.
-Lifting Spirits
-Inner Happiness
-Increases Positive Emotions
The joy an individual gets from riding.
-He Smiles
-He Laughs
-She Loves

13. “Put horses and humans together …
In Conclusion:
“Put horses and humans together …
miracles will happen.
Lives can be altered.”
-Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy

14. Thank You! Any Questions?

15. Work Citied: www.google.com/images http://www.weforanimals.com
Article: Hoof Prints Equine Therapy for Autistic Children
Article: Equine Facilitated Mental Health
Article: Equine-Facilitated Psychotherapy
Article: Broomstick Horses and Pony Dreams-How to pick the Best Therapeutic Riding Program for Your Child
Article: Improvements in muscle symmetry in children with cerebral palsy after equine-assisted therapy (Hippotherapy).
Article: Equine-assisted psychotherapy: a mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced intro-family violence.
Article: Equine-Facilitated Learning for Youths with Severe Emotional Disorders: A Quantitative and Qualitative Study
Article: Equine Therapy: Making the Connection
Article: The History and Development of Equine Therapy
Article: The effectiveness of equine-assisted experiential therapy: Results of an open clinical trial.
Article: Equine-assisted psychotherapy: A mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced intra-family violence.