Horse Therapy is a form of experiential therapy that involves interactions between children and horses.
Horse Therapy involves activities (such as grooming, feeding, haltering and leading a horse) that are supervised by a mental health professional, often with the support of a horse professional.
Studies have indicated that horse therapy has been successful in helping children show marked improvements in the following areas:
Assertiveness
Emotional awareness
Empathy
Stress tolerance
Flexibility
Impulse control
Problem-solving skills
Self-actualization
Independence
Self-regard
Social responsibility
Interpersonal relationships
Many of the benefits of horse therapy are likely due to the nature of the animals with which the child and horse therapist are interacting. Horses are typically non-judgmental, have no preconceived expectations or motives, and are highly effective at mirroring attitudes and behaviours of the humans with whom they are working.
