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Equine Operational Therapy

North Richland Hills

Texas

A Better life to be lived

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History of Equine Operational Therapy

Equine operational therapy is a physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy treatment that

utilizes the movement and the relationship with the horse as part of an integrated program.

History

Equine therapy dates back to ancient Greek in 600 B.C. In 1946 Equine Therapy was introduced in Scandinavia. In 1960 Therapeutic Riding was introduced and brought to the United States, and then to Canada. Each client is working towards specific strategic goals with input from the doctor, the client, his family and the horse. Enjoyable and great fun the activities are selected to help improve neurological function and sensory processing in daily activities and thought processes.

Equine Operational Therapy Will Help You Learn To Listen?

Few people really listen. They may hear the words, comprehend the message, but do they really listen to the meaning behind the words. We may say, “I’m bored,” but our body language says, ‘I don’t like this.’ We are typically distracted. Ask yourself, “When was the last time I listened to someone without thinking about anything else?” One area where it is almost impossible to be distracted is when working with an animal, a horse in this case. In order to convey any message to the horse with clarity, one must be aware of what is being conveyed nonverbally. For example, if a person is telling a horse to slow down, yet the body is tense, the message the horse hears is “Slow down but go.” Obviously, the horse is confused. A person will have to pay attention to what the horse is conveying, and the horse is 100% nonverbal, the more closely a person listens, the more they will read the horse’s communication, and as a result they too

will be able, to communicate more effectively with other people from this learning experience with the horse.

The Reality after the Wounded Warrior Reunion

When a service member is wounded, ill, or injured, these changes place tremendous stress on family members. These family members are an integral part of a warrior's successful recovery. Equine Operational Therapy programs are dedicated to supporting warriors as well as their families in rebuilding relationships and mental awareness. Our team reaches out to family members and caregivers of warriors living with physical and/or mental health conditions to provide a wide range of support in a fun Therapeutic environment. Our team reaches out to family members and caregivers of warriors living with physical and/or mental health conditions to provide a wide range of support in a fun, controlled environment which is at the same time Therapeutic.

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Theory behind equine operational therapy

Horses need a lot of care. When a patient is busy grooming, feeding, or exercising a horse, he isn't focusing on his own problems. This gives his mind a rest from the difficult issues he's facing. In addition, a patient has to learn new skills in order to care for a horse. Learning these skills increases self-confidence. Patients don't need to worry about rejection either, since horses are non-judgmental. Horses are good animals to work with because they mirror the emotions of the people around them. If the person caring for it is aggressive, controlling or noisy, the horse becomes fearful and responds negatively. Patients learn that their behavior affects others. In order to work with the horse, they have to learn how to change their behavior. Horses are herd animals. They need to feel safe and look for a leader to tell them what to do. A horse will co-operate with a person who makes requests

instead of demands. By teaching a patient how to work with a horse, it also indirectly teaches the patient how to apply the same skills to his or her personal relationships and daily lives. The horse provides strong sensory stimulation to muscles and joints, impacts the balance and movement sense detected by sensory receptors, and provides varied tactile (touch) experiences as the rider rides hugs or pats the horse. Watching the horse and other riders is visually stimulating, while hearing the hoofs and smelling the barn impact other senses. By asking the rider to follow simple or multi-step directions (such as "turn to face backwards and give me high five") the rider is encouraged to communicate directions to the horse.

Why Equine Operation Therapy Works

Equine therapy uses horses for a wide range of physical and psychological problems. Since the program can be tailored to meet special needs, like exercising a specific group of muscles, people with cerebral palsy, visual impairments or strokes can benefit. It can also be used to help troubled teens learn how to develop confidence, responsibility, self-control, empathy and affection and then too wounded veterans and their associated challenges.

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To name a few human problems that Equine Operational Therapy can help: •Depression and Mental Disorder •Fear and or lack of Self Confidence •Specific Physical Injury •Attention Deficit Disorder •Post and Chronic Distress •Autism •Head Injury •Destructive social interaction with others

Special relationships The bond between the horse and the patient encourages attachment and interaction with another living being, which is normally especially difficult for some patients to achieve. Develop memory and concentration a sense of body-awareness; and improved socialization. And one of the patient greatest benefits of this type of therapy is the full enjoyment the patient receives. The patient doesn’t even realize that he is participating in a therapeutic activity. Horseback riding creates a sense of independence in a positive way not in a destructive way. Horse Therapy – Changes lives.

Riding horses and being around horses is a lot of fun for everyone.

The horse

Horses are assessed to ensure they are suitable for working with people.

There isn't a specific type or breed of horse that is suitable. It really is an individual thing. What is

important is that the horse is calm, patient, has a trainable temperament, and is humanized (Loves

people, is a people pleaser, and communicates efficiently).

Equine Operational Therapy

By: True Vision Foundation

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Texas Office: +1 817-498-9882

California Office: +1 714-501-9816

Horse Facility Center: Dallas – Fort Worth

Metroplex