The idea of therapeutic riding dates back to ancient Greece where it was employed to rehabilitate injured warriors. The old idea of "getting back on the horse" is a time proven concept. The value of therapeutic riding has also been long understood in Europe.
Therapy on horse back
The value of therapeutic riding has been long understood in Europe and is now universally accepted in the US with programs for children, veterans and those who need balance in their lives for whatever reason.
At the turn of the century, England recognized riding for the disabled as a beneficial form of therapy and offered this physical opportunity to World War I wounded soldiers at the Oxford Hospital.
When Liz Hartel of Denmark won the silver medal for dressage at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games in spite of being paralyzed by polio, both medical and equine professionals in the United States celebrated.
Today, disabled riders compete nationally and internationally to demonstrate their remarkable accomplishments. Medical doctors, physical and occupational therapists, psychiatrists, and teachers all recognize and applaud the merits of therapeutic horsemanship
One well recognized therapeutic program Heads Up was established in 1986 as a non-profit organization dedicated to providing therapeutic riding for disabled children. The therapeutic effects disabled children receive from horseback riding are far reaching. The horse is an amazing simulator as well as stimulator.
Heads Up helps children reach their goals of better balance, walking, communication, strengthening limbs, toning muscles, relaxing muscles that are tight, increasing attention spans, behavior changes, hand/eye coordination, socialization, and raising self-esteem. Removing the children from a clinical environment to the outdoors on horses is motivating, stimulating, and provides hours of fun
Another noted program is Horses 4 Heroes which brings together returning soldiers, both mentally and/or physically injured from battle, and horses for a riding program that provides healing and hope. Horse 4 Heroes was formed in 2006 and its headquarters are in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It is fostering a nationwide network of family and kid-friendly horseback riding facilities and equine-related service providers support their mission of affordable horseback riding and accessibility to heroes of the communities. This includes military personnel whether on active duty or veteran status, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, and families who are struggling with serious, chronic illnesses and/or disabilities.
PATH International Horses for Heroes another nationwide therapeutic riding program is all about a major goal: “the appreciation of the power of the horse to change lives.” PATH honors men and women of the Armed Services who preserve our freedoms at tremendous personal cost. For those individuals who seek PATH and its services, they will receive the leadership and guidance of equine-assisted activities and therapies.
PATH centers connect with Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and Clinics and individual veterans to accomplish this mission. The program holds fast that veterans of any age will benefit by getting involved with equines. Contact Veterans Programs or Horses for Heroes Programs for more information.
Where ever you live, most likely a therapeutic riding program is near you. While therapeutic riding programs provide people with motivation and a sense of well-being for a better future, they also provide horses with purpose, training, conditioning and, in many cases, have therapeutic value for the horse as well as the rider.
So, during this holiday season, take time to thank both the people and horses that benefit so many.