Benefits Of Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Equine therapy has been around since as far back as the ancient greeks. Therapeutic Horseback Riding has many benefits and you also get the joy of riding a horse. Horses help people work through their disabilities and struggles that they are facing. Therapeutic Horseback Riding can help those with disabilities overcome a lot of different obstacles that life may throw at them. For example, stress, depression, autism, ADHD, ADD, etc. The horses themselves help people with disabilities believe in themselves and boost their self-esteem.
There are many proven benefits of Therapeutic Horseback Riding including physical, psychological and social. It is stated that, “Individuals with the following disabilities commonly participate and benefit from equine facilitated activities: Muscular dystrophy, visual impairment, mental retardation, multiple sclerosis, emotional disabilities, spinal cord injuries, learning disabilities, deafness, accident, autism, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, spina bifida, brain injuries,
70% saw physical improvements in their child. 60% saw improvements in their child's social skills. 60% reported an increase in the riders speech or communication skills.” (Benefits of Therapeutic Riding) A Therapeutic Horseback Riding program in Warwick, New York shared a story about a boy named Jacob Miller. He was a student at Winslow Therapeutic Riding Center. An instructor of his said that “When he first came he could only sit on the horse for five minutes, now he is able to ride the whole hour. Jacob also came nonverbal. Because of Duke (the horse) and Winslow and the job we provide for him, he can say small things like “walk on” and “whoa” and that kind of thing.” (Riding High) Every child benefits and improves in their own way, whether they improve fast or