Equine Therapy

From the feral horse to the pickup horse, the gamut of the equine species conveys progressive degrees of a man’s control and dominance over them. It is a gamut of wild to tame, nature to culture (167). The equine species bridge the realms of nature and culture through its capacity for participation in both ends of the spectrum. However, it is important to note the paradox of complete dominance over the animal as a cowboy may feel a sense of personal identification with power and freedom represented by the horse even though the cowboy’s intent is to control that power and

According to Long and Robertson Therapeutic Recreation serves a variety of populations with special needs. We as Therapeutic Recreation Specialist are there to improve functioning and independence and minimize or eliminate illness or disability. We can also help improve health and well-being. We are there to help guide and show our clients how to develop and express appropriate leisure activities for people with physical, mental, emotional, and social limitations.

I spent my summer at Race2Ring, a rehabilitation center for retired horses. This center is dedicated to fueling the horse-human connection through equine rescue, rehabilitation and retraining. After a horse is rehabilitated and retrained they are available for adoption. The goal is to place these horses in qualified partnerships so that they may reach their full potential in a productive second career, dually providing a horse-human relationship for people in need. Upon graduation of the program, Race2Ring screens qualified partnerships, placing horses into new careers with approved adopters.

Every year, more medical advances are produced that help professionals understand the breed and work with its conformity. Ultimately, the Thoroughbred is a well-designed horse with unparalleled athletic abilities. The key to a healthy horse is consistent awareness of their well-being, not over-working it, and giving the horse time to rest and recover if injured. Increasing the caliber of medical inspection has increased health standards.

As an equine management worker I can use this career as a stepping stone to my path as an equine rehabilitator. With this job there are

Everything the equestrian puts into the animal with getting them fit, keeping them healthy, making sure they get the attention they need it becomes a full time job, just to do what they love. At the end of the day all the hard work and dedication is what gets you to the big title. When you are showing in the arena and you just finish the winning showmanship pattern or just had the winning ride at the Congress and you hear your name called you know the work was worth it. Just as an Athlete loves being reward with wins, Equestrians love being rewarded with being successful as

Ameera and Maci had always seemed like a match made in heaven, so horse shows were just the next big step for the two. Maci Carter has rode horses since before she can even remember, “I don’t know how I got into riding horses, I had always liked them and so I started taking lessons.” stated Maci cracking a smirk, her brown eyes glistened as she started to talk about what she loved the most. Maci had only been doing horse shows for a year but it had already impacted her life incredibly. “I love going to horse shows because I get to be surrounded by other people who completely understand how I feel, people that are just like me that are driven by their passion of horses and the showing them.”

They ask no questions and they pass no criticism.” The idea behind AAT is that individuals struggling physically, mentally or emotionally, can benefit from an animal’s trusting and loving behavior because animals do not pass judgement and treat everyone the same, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. Thereby, animals model behaviors that individuals should demonstrate with each other. Research suggests that individuals who learn to be kind to animals have a better chance at developing empathy, self-esteem and social skills. The psychological problems for which AATs are used include schizophrenia, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum and a host of developmental

The horses in ether barrel racing or roping if they are not really to perform all you are doing are being is money pit. The animal and the rider have to be a good team, but if you think you can do it all by yourself that is not it you need a good horse. The horses most want to do it or they will not perform right. If they hated whatever you are doing they will fight you ever step of the way.

Animal-assisted therapy is beneficial because it develops social behaviors, improves mood, and increases physical health. In the case of a person with a disability, the presence of trained animals can help to develop social behaviors. A person who has a disability may have a more difficult time interacting in social situations than a person who does not have a disability; interacting with animals helps to teach the appropriate behaviors that apply both to animals and humans. For example, a person that does not have a disability may immediately know to start by calmly approaching the animal, while a person with a disability may approach the animal quickly and in an alarming manner.

Some people wear shirts that say “my therapist lives in a barn” and it can be completely true. Few people do not know what horseback riding is. They think of it as a recreational activity or something that people wearing cowboy hats use when herding cattle in Texas. Little do most people outside the avid horseback riding communities know that it can be so much more. Horseback riding is one of the most natural types of therapy in the world and can be used to enable the disabled, give confidence, and to form a steady bond for both horse and rider.

They build a bond with that horse, and take the time to feel what that horse is also feeling. The more gentle that they are with a horse, the more cooperation they will receive from it. They never yank or pull the reins, forcing the bit in the horse’s mouth to cut or tear into the gums. They never bury their spurs into the horse’s ribcage or flanks. Hiring a patient rider to train a horse is very important.

The neurological system of the horse is very similar to that of a human, and any other animal with a nervous system. The horse’s nervous system includes the brain, which is the most important part of the system and is responsible for receiving transmissions from the nerves that tell the mind what the body is sensing in any form, such as taste, feel, smell, sound, or sight, then the brain processes the information, and sends back the necessary response to the body for a reaction. The nervous system is also made up of the spinal cord, the brainstem, sensory neurons that receive the signals from the environment and send them to the brain, connecting neurons which connect with the sensory neurons to retrieve the information and transport it through the nervous system, and motor neurons, which take the information to the brain to

30-43). Any intervention is approached from a medical perspective, with outcomes focused on health and illness. Although the medical model has a contribution to make in the field of intellectual disabilities for individuals with higher support needs, it can also restrict others from being involved in everyday activities and social interaction (Oliver, 1996). This may deny them the opportunity for creativity and self-expression and for reaching any potential they may have.

I was so excited to finally ride a privately owned horse and not a school horse that I couldn’t control my excitement. So, all day I was running around the barn cleaning Mackie to a sleek country night black and getting myself ready to finally get on at noon. But, when the time arrived to do more than walk around the ring boasting about accomplishing riding a fancier horse, I regretted accepting the offer. I found myself afraid to move forward but refusing to quit; I decided that this opportunity was a necessary tipping moment in my riding journey. Therefore, I gathered up my courage and kept going even though my muscles were rigid and my mind racing.