Since the dawn of time, mankind has had an interesting
relationship with animals. In some ways, the history of modern
man is intimately linked to our interaction with animals. Dog's,
for instance, have long been considered man's best friend. Any
dog owner will gladly confirm this for you. Cat's, too, have
been living in close quarters with man for literally thousands
of years.
In modern times, there has been a lot of research and
experimentation regarding the use of horses in various forms of
therapy. Back in the early 1900's, Dame Agnes Hunt used horses
in the rehabilitation of her patients at the first orthopedic
hospital in England. A few years later, therapeutic riding was
introduced to soldiers injured on the battlefield during World
War I.
In the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, an amazing feat was
accomplished. Dame Liz Hartel, a former Danish dressage rider,
decided to compete in spite of being severely paralyzed by
Polio. She became an inspiration to millions of people, when she
won the Silver medal that year. Over time, doctors and
therapists realized that exposure to animals was having a
rehabilitative effect on their patients.
A number of organizations were established to reflect the
interests of this new form of therapy. In the early 1960's, the
first therapeutic riding program in Canada was established by
Dr. Elmer Butt. More recently, The Federation of Riding for the
Disabled International was created. This organization serves to
coordinate efforts between therapeutic riding centers all around
the world, and have they been instrumental in helping this form
of therapy gain the recognition it deserves.
Horseback riding is currently being used in many types of
therapy. It is being used to help children suffering from
physical disabilities, as in the case of Dame Liz Hartel. It is
also gaining mainstream acceptance as a form of therapy for
children with emotional or psychological disabilities. Children
are naturally drawn to these majestic and beautiful animals, and
many develop meaningful bonds that can last a lifetime.
In the case of children with Autism, riding can provide them
with the sensory stimulation they need. The motion of the horse
is highly rhythmic, and provides something for the child to
focus on. As the child progresses with the horse, they are often
introduced to group riding sessions. This allows for
socialization and bonding in a peer setting, further supporting
the child's progress as a healthy, functioning individual.
About the author:
Elizabeth Clinton has been riding horses since she was a young
girl. When she is not down at the stables, she writes for
http://www.horseandridergear.com - a wonderful online resource
for information about riding equipment,
equestrian attire, specialized footwear and more.
Elizabeth Clinton
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