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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
horseandridergear.com
– a wonderful online resource for information about riding
equipment.
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