Equine Therapy: Effective Methods

Equestrian (or equestrian) therapy is an extensive health care program for people suffering from joint and skeletal problems. This therapy covers a full range of equestrian conditions, from stress fractures to pinched nerves. It is performed by qualified professionals, such as licensed physical therapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, and physical therapy assistants. The therapy is also usually recommended by other medical practitioners, including family doctors, pediatricians, rheumatologists, and nurses.

Equestrian (or equestrian) therapy helps a patient recover both physically and psychologically. Many patients come to therapy wanting to know how to regain their self-esteem and confidence on horseback. The program usually consists of several components, including education, diagnostic testing, and counseling. A thorough assessment is done to determine the cause of the problem, which is then treated with medications.

In the clinical setting, many patients receive individualized horseback exercises to improve their range of motion, endurance, strength, and overall motor skills. Horseback exercises are usually done twice a day, first before breakfast and again after lunch. Patients gradually increase the number of exercises they do in a day until reaching their goals. The goal of equestrian therapy is not only to increase the horse’s comfort level, but also to improve the horse’s performance while on horseback.

Another aspect of equine-assisted therapy is education. To prevent injuries from occurring in the future, individuals are educated about the dangers of jumping and galloping, as well as about the proper techniques for walking and trotting. Learning about proper posture and body mechanics is also crucial for preventing accidents. Another important aspect of equine therapy is learning how to manage fear. This involves learning how to effectively handle anger, nervousness, fear, and other negative feelings.

Stress management is another aspect of equine-assisted therapy. A skilled therapist can teach patients how to cope when confronted by stressful situations. The horseback rider may be confronted by aggressive riders, uneven terrain, sharp turns, and other discomforts. The client needs to learn how to remain calm and relaxed under such conditions. Learning how to safely respond to these situations helps the horseman remain relaxed and in control of his or her reaction.

Many equestrian therapy programs use a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy, counseling, physical conditioning, and horse training. Some therapists use only one or two of these approaches, while others work with all four aspects. Because equine-assisted therapy offers so many benefits to both the horse and the rider, it has become an extremely popular form of therapy. This popularity has led to the development of more courses and programs than ever before.