There is no doubt that spending time with animals is beneficial. There are many studies where we can see the positive impact of our beloved pets on both our physical and mental health.
But why does being around animals impact our physical and mental health? Well, there are many different reasons, but the biggest one is because of their unconditional love and stress-reducing effects when being around them.
When we talk about pets, most people immediately think of cats and dogs. However, the impact isn’t limited to only house pets. Horses can also have healing effects on humans and being around them can be considered as a therapy.
In fact, equine therapy is quite a big thing in today’s world. Just because we’ve seen what the bond between humans and horses can do for thousands of years, we’ve focused on these positive effects and their impact on our physical and mental health.
That’s why in today’s article we will dive deeper into equine therapy, find out what it is exactly, and how it can affect our mood.
What is Equine Therapy?
Equine therapy involves activities with horses just to promote human mental and physical well-being. But equine therapy doesn’t mean that you have to ride horses in order to get all the benefits.
Some equine therapy sessions involve just being around horses and engaging in taking care of these beloved animals. From feeding to grooming, it can have many physical and mental benefits for humans.
But why horses? Well, horses are chosen for therapy for a good reason. Apart from being a great entertainment factor at the Kentucky Derby, they have a unique ability to mirror human emotions as well as provide immediate feedback, which creates a dynamic environment for healing and self-reflection.
Additionally, horses are quite large animals, but they’ve developed a special bond with humans. Being able to control such a big animal, and connect with it gives you a huge confidence boost, which of course has positive effects on your mental health.
Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT)
If you are new to the equine world, there is a good chance that you’ve never heard of equine-assisted therapy. This is a therapy that is helpful for a wide range of issues, from anxiety and PTSD to ADHD and even substance abuse.
The therapy helps individuals develop crucial skills like impulse control, self-efficiency, and communication, while also fostering trust, empathy, and social skills.
But equine-assisted therapy isn’t only focused on your mental health. Have you ever ridden a horse before? – It is a full body workout, and the next day your muscles that you never knew existed will be sore.
Therapeutic Riding Programs
If you are someone who needs physical therapy or occupational therapy, then choosing some of the riding programs is the right way to go. Of course, this depends on your situation, so make sure to consult with your doctor first.
Similar to equine-assisted mental health therapy, these riding programs use trained horses alongside a professional staff that will push people towards working on various goals depending on their needs. For example, if you are a person who can’t sit on a horse, horse-and-buggy programs are still an option.
These physical therapy sessions can improve your strength and balance, as well as one important thing – spiritual awareness.
The positive effects of therapeutic riding programs are huge. They can help people with special conditions such as:
- Autism
- Cerebral palsy
- Down syndrome
- Muscular dystrophy
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Strokes
- Traumatic brain injuries
- And more
On top of that, riding is fun and these therapies are usually done in groups, so there is also a social element to the table.
Equine-Assisted Learning
If you are not interested in riding a horse, there are other ways where being around horses can have a positive impact on your mental or physical well-being.
We have equine-assisted learning, which is sort of a skill-building method where people are involved in all kinds of horse care tasks. Every client is working with a facilitator, who creates a tailor-made program that will benefit the client in certain conditions.
The facilitator guides the person through horse care and observing horse behavior. These programs are very beneficial for people with PTSD, or veterans as they are facing trouble to reintegrate into civilian life.
Equine-assisted learning can also boost your confidence, and improve your communication skills, emotional regulation, and trust.
Final Words
As you can see, being around horses has both mental and physical benefits. So, the next time you are feeling depressed, or not in the mood, try to go to your local horse stable that offers equine therapy or just riding lessons.
Even if you don’t choose to ride horses, just being around these animals will have relaxing effects on you which will improve your overall mood. They are incredible creatures with a strong connection to humans.