Here are 16 ways that equine assisted therapy can help people with various mental health conditions.
For nearly three decades, equine assisted therapy has been around in various ways. While horse people have long recognized the advantages, it has taken time and scientific evidence to persuade traditional mental health specialists to accept the concept. Know more about hamerequine assisted learning.
“Growing data supports the effectiveness of treatment with horses in a therapeutic environment,” argues Azmaira H. Maker Ph.D. in an article published recently on Psychology Today. The therapeutic value of the human-animal contact has been supported by a body of research. ”
Equine Assisted Therapy can help people with depression, anxiety, ADHD, conduct problems, addiction, trauma, eating disorders, range and health concerns, dissociative disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other mental health issues, according to her. ” On our property we have 4 beautiful horses, Jenny, Blaze, Halo and Red. Each of our horses has individual characteristics and this adds to the unique experience that equine assisted learning provides. To know more about our herd.
The value of participating in programs supervised by trained and experienced equine and mental health experts is highlighted in the article, which outlines 16 benefits:
Trust: Participants learn to trust both their human and equine therapists, as well as themselves.
Decreased Anxiety: Studies demonstrate that interacting with animals lowers physiological anxiety levels dramatically.
Depression and Isolation: People who connect nonverbally with horses and experience their unconditional acceptance are more likely to engage in social relationships with others.
Mindfulness: Participants must learn to be in the moment with horses while remaining calm, focused, and fully engaged in order to develop new positive ways of being.
Self-Esteem: In a non-competitive, non-judgmental environment, individuals gain confidence by taking on new tasks and mastering new abilities.
Impulse Control: The requirement to speak calmly and non-reactively with horses fosters self-control and emotional and behavioral regulation.
Self-Efficacy: Developing nonverbal problem-solving skills encourages initiative and allows individuals to go past feelings of helplessness and motivation.
Positivity: Participants learn to bond with horses and feel ‘liked’ and accepted as a result of this activity.
Communication: People learn to become more aware of nonverbal indications they may be giving out, which helps them develop self-awareness and intuition.
Growth Through Nature: Most people find learning in nature to be a relaxing experience that encourages feelings of happiness and connection.
Self-Acceptance: Participants learn to focus internally on their own level of comfort and let go of embarrassing anxieties, which is essential for growing resilience.
Social Skills: This aids a range of abilities, including reciprocity, assertiveness, involvement, and positive and negative feedback from others, including the horses.
Assertiveness: Working with a large animal like a horse can be scary, but once people master it, they become better at expressing their emotions.
Boundaries: Participants learn how to function within the confines of a safe and mutually caring relationship without fear of being controlled or traumatized.
Ingenuity and Creativity: By appreciating the more spontaneous parts of spending time with horses, people learn to let go of their inhibitions and rigidity, and become more creative in healthy recreational play.
Perception and Giving: Participants learn to put their worries and negative emotions aside and focus on creating caring and compassionate relationships with horses.
