What is equine therapy?
Equine therapy is an alternative and more innovative approach to drug addiction treatment and recovery. It is the practice of using horses as a means of promoting emotional growth and giving the addicted individual a positive focus on the benefits of living substance-free. The horse is literally an empty canvas that has no opinions or pre-conceived notions about the individual who is caring for them. Today, equine therapy for addiction drug treatment is very popular among teenagers and younger adults.
How does equine therapy work?
The client is taught by the equine therapist the way in which horses follow instructions, learn from, and react to their handlers. Equine therapy for addiction drug treatment has proven to be a successful method for treating numerous disorders including:
- ADHD
- anxiety and panic disorders
- autism
- behavioral or conduct disorders
- dementia
- depression
- dissociative disorders
Equine therapy uses different forms of interaction with horses such as grooming and riding to help treat the individual without them feeling like they are undergoing therapy.
The benefits of equine therapy
One of the aspects of an equine therapy for addiction drug treatment program that has been realized in recent years is how the client benefits from it. The following are the three primary benefits that the individual receives whenever they are undergoing equine therapy:
Physical benefits – working with horses has been proven as an effective means of treating people with physical disabilities including:
- brain injury or disease
- cerebral palsy
- muscular dystrophy
- spinal injuries
- strokes
Additionally, equine therapy helps to improve one’s horizontal and vertical balance, motor coordination, and muscle tone. It can also benefit those individuals who need help with their walking skills.
Psychological benefits – whenever an individual has a positive interaction with animals and develops relationships with them they are going to benefit by improving:
- feelings of better well-being
- self-confidence
- self-esteem
Another thing that makes equine therapy so effective is that the individual is forced to recognize the needs of the animal and then make sure that they meet those needs in normal fashion.
Social benefits – when a client is developing a relationship with a horse during the equine therapy for addiction drug treatment program, they improve the way they interact with fellow human beings as well. Just like your relationship with that horse, the qualities of caring, respect, and responsibility play a significant role in relationships with other human beings. For example, equine therapy has been employed to rehabilitate gang members and other social outcasts.