Using Equine Assisted Therapy To Aid Healing Processes In Humans

Apart from traditional medicine, contemporary society has seen the emergence of various alternative methods of treating patients suffering from all kinds of ailments. Equine assisted therapy is one such method, being used the world over, to treat physical conditions but also emotional and mental illnesses, including drug addiction, stress disorders and autism.

This treatment is a relatively new innovation, with its roots in the early 1990s, which was then being recommended by physicians as a way to address orthopedic disabilities such as scoliosis and cerebral palsy. Now, it is being used in a wide range of fields and is a hands-on, practical form of therapy which allows people to learn about themselves and access their emotions and inherent responses to various situations.

Though they may be intimidated by the size of horses, clients often overcome these fears and begin interacting with them, thus becoming empowered and practically learning how to overcome personal barriers in their lives. Horses are very sensitive to non-verbal communication and body language, assisting people in learning how their behaviour affects those around them.

This treatment form has been overwhelmingly successful amongst young sufferers of conditions like autism or problems with communication. By showing autistic children how to focus their attention on one task with the horse at a time, they learn to avoid an overload of emotions, which is a symptom of this condition. They also learn skills like assertiveness and expressing their needs by giving the horses verbal instructions and directing them by using the reigns.

There are a number of activities incorporated into this form of treatment, which do not necessarily include riding the horse. Examples of these activities include the grooming of the horses, which requires patience and gentleness, feeding them and leading them carefully through various obstacle courses. All courses should be diligently facilitated, with certified handlers for each horse, to ensure the safety of the patients at all times.

Testimonials illustrate the success of this treatment through results showing that clients become more able to identify and assess their emotional state and respond in appropriate ways. They also learn to build stronger, healthy relationships with themselves and others.

Others assert that the spiritual and majestic nature of these creatures, creates within them, a sense of inner peace and tranquility, producing long-lasting life improvements. Some alternative medicine enthusiasts therefore assert that equine assisted therapy is more effective than more, ‘traditional treatment’. However, in ensuring that the treatment produces the safest, best results possible, it is always advised that potential clients seek professional medical advice.

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