It’s not a novel concept to use horses to enhance both physical and mental wellness. According to legend, Hippocrates proposed the possibility of using horses to help manage health. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that equine therapy became widely used in modern society. Equine therapy in Victoria may be deemed helpful for a variety of reasons, and it stands out from other types of rehabilitation for a variety of other reasons as well.

The ability of humans and animals to communicate without the use of words is a benefit of horse therapy. By doing this, a channel of communication is opened up that might not have been reached had the patient sought out a conventional therapist.

In this post, we’ll talk about some of the most potent advantages that you or a loved one might get from engaging in equine therapy.

1. No Judgment

As was already said, humans and animals may communicate without using words. People can frequently be more vulnerable around animals than they can around other people, and the communication that they do exchange is typically done entirely on an emotional basis. This means that spending time with horses facilitates the development of a non-judgmental, impartial relationship in which a person can discover new ways to communicate and comprehend themselves. Horses are excellent partners for anyone looking to manage a mental condition because they are also quite temperamental and intuitive.

2. Mirroring

One special feature of equine therapy is the way the horses intuitively reflect any feelings the patient may be having, whether or not they are conscious of it. Horses are incredibly empathic, thus they could reflect the patient’s unhappiness, stress, or discomfort back at them. If the patient actively attempts to see their horse’s behavior as a reflection of their own, it may help to foster self-awareness and openness. A person can have a deeper understanding of their own brain’s patterning through this feedback loop, which will help them better comprehend their emotional responses.

3. Vulnerability

The period when a patient starts to open up to a therapist is among the most challenging things they have to deal with. They might be aware at this point that the person is dealing with mental health problems. The patient, however, might not be ready to completely communicate what’s happening or how they’re feeling about it. Around animals, people frequently feel more at ease showing vulnerability. In addition, if a therapist is there, clients might be able to anthropomorphize or utilize the horse as a point of reference to explain issues that they’re having but are reluctant to discuss.

4. Physical activity

Physical activity is one of the most crucial elements of mental recovery. In reality, there is a ton of evidence that suggests exercise can help people with depression, anxiety, and other illnesses. People who lead sedentary lifestyles, for instance, are more likely to experience issues like depression because exercise encourages the body to create feel-good hormones like dopamine and serotonin. Riding a horse is a fantastic method to get physical activity, and you’ll probably use muscles you’ve never used before. Opening up to these new areas of your body could lead to you opening up to new areas of your mind. This is an opportunity to explore new opportunities both physically and emotionally.

5. Enhances one’s self-esteem

Spending time with a horse can help those who suffer with disability feel better about themselves. Horses are extremely sentient creatures that treat people equally rather than passing judgment on or criticizing them. They are very appreciative and have a good sense of how to treat those who interact with them. These factors can assist to stimulate a person’s self-esteem and can help people who struggle with self-acceptance regain confidence.

6. Improves attention span

The ability to increase attention span is another benefit of horse therapy, making it a particularly intriguing kind of treatment for kids who battle with ADHD. The intense concentration needed to ride a horse might enhance pre-operative thought, which may be difficult for those with attention deficit disorders.

Equine therapy can be particularly beneficial for young children as a prophylactic step.

Growing them can be greatly aided by teaching them to regulate and multitask while riding a horse.

7. Relaxation

Relaxation and stress reduction are two additional advantages of equine therapy. Spending time with horses can help clear the mind of pressures and other worries that are taking up your time and energy.

Equine therapy has been demonstrated to be particularly successful in assisting individuals in managing their anxiety. Additionally, talking to equine therapists might encourage patients to talk to trainers and other persons they might not ordinarily connect with.

8. Spending time in nature

Spending time in nature is without a doubt one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental wellbeing. Equine therapy is a wonderful way to spend time in nature, especially with horses. However, if you’re very fortunate, you could be able to participate in free-range equine therapy, in which you ride a horse through untamed environment. Spending time in nature serves as a reminder that we are not entirely cut off from the cycle of life. This reminder might assist to center us and promote mental peace.

Conclusion

Equine therapy is a special type of therapy that enables clients to communicate and ride horses while seeking help from mental health issues. Equine therapy may be a wonderful assistance if you or a loved one are battling with any of these diseases, since it has been shown to be effective in treating conditions including anxiety, depression, stress, and ADHD. Children and adults with a variety of motor learning issues can also benefit from equine therapy. For instance, the stimulation they experience from horseback riding helps many children with dyspraxia (also known as the clumsy kid syndrome) demonstrate improved cognition, mood, and gait characteristics. The link formed between the patient and the animal is among the most crucial elements of equine therapy, or really any type of animal therapy. The bond that forms between an animal and a human is special and, in some respects, more useful, even if it’s true that a regular therapist will build a special bond with their patients.

H.E.A.L. offers horse experiences that are both physically and psychologically safe. For more information about equine therapy in Victoria, call Annie at 0411 549562 or visit the website at hamerequineassistedlearning.com. Participants get the chance to examine issues that may be troubling them or simply to enjoy being in the space with the horses.