Equestrian Therapy
October 2022
Equestrian Therapy.
Winston Churchill once said that no hour of life is wasted when spent in a saddle. Missy Lyons declared that, “in riding a horse, we borrow freedom.” You can see where we’re going with this.
Although UI Rehab has always championed therapy and activities with animals – we’ve had everything from dogs, rabbits, goats, birds, and snakes – equestrian therapy is in a world of it’s own. Luckily for us, this therapy is being bravely tested by one of our newest clients, John. John came to Universal in the late Spring of this year, and from day one he was vocal about his desire to stay active and to try new experiences.
He was also candid with his hesitations about transferring from his old way of life to a new rehabilitation facility; it was a big change for John. Equestrian therapy was offered to him in order to support his mental health, physical posture, arm and leg strength, and overall confidence. Clearly, this is a multifaceted approach to therapy that targets and supports both the physical and cognitive abilities of the rider.
With his white stallion and the golden woods behind him, John looks like a scene from a fantasy book.
There are many parallels between learning to ride a horse and any form of therapy. Horses are big, powerful animals that must be approached with patience and trust. The first moments after climbing into the saddle can feel exhilarating but also scary; the rider must learn to relinquish control to the animal while simultaneously leading and communicating in specific ways. The equestrian therapist has worked with John to practice patience and poise while riding a horse.
As of this post, John has completed his fourth lesson at Seaton Hackney Stables in Morristown, NJ. He’s already come a long way during his hour-long therapy sessions; at his first session he was anxious from simply sitting on the horse. By his fourth session, he was channeling his inner cowboy riding along the trail and through the river. Yeehaw, John!
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