Have you ever heard that horseback riding can be healing?
Have you ever felt the impulse to ‘ride a horse!’ or ‘start horseback riding!’? What sparks this urge? Maybe you want to ‘ride a horse like in movies or TV,’ ‘find a new hobby,’ or ‘improve your health.’ Did you know that horseback riding has other charms besides being a sport that can aid weight loss? It offers a unique form of relaxation and healing that makes you want to come back for more.
1: The Characteristics of Horses
Just looking at horses can be healing—they have a dignified presence and gentle eyes. Horses are herbivores that live in social groups, making them naturally gentle and obedient animals that form bonds with humans.
2: Feeling What’s on the Horse’s Back
Light exercise can make you feel refreshed and relaxed. Riding a horse provides a soothing sensation because of the horse’s warmth and vibrations stimulating muscles that you aren’t typically using. Simply sitting on a horse’s back is a gentle form of exercise that can help relax and stretch your muscles.
3: An Extraordinary Environment
Riding a horse changes your perspective—raising your view to the height of the horse’s shoulder, approximately 170cm, plus your seat height. The scenery from this vantage point is fresh and offers an experience unlike everyday life. Additionally, riding often takes place in natural settings, which enhances the feeling of escape from daily routines and provides a calming effect.
When do you Feel Healed?
Sometimes, just being around horses can be healing—even without riding. Horses communicate their comfort through gestures like narrowing their eyes during grooming, or by leaning into you when they want affection. They may also scratch the ground with their front legs to seek attention or express their needs. Observing these expressive animals alone can bring a soothing sense of connection and comfort.
Horse-Assisted Therapy
Horse-assisted therapy, known as “horse therapy,” involves activities like riding, grooming, and caring for horses to improve mental and physical functions, particularly for those with disabilities. It’s an effective rehabilitation method that promotes social reintegration and is recognized as “Horses – Assisted Therapy.” Unlike other animal therapies, riding isn’t necessary, and the therapy emphasizes a gentle, slow approach using calm, friendly horses that are not easily startled and have a kind demeanor.
Benefits of Horse Therapy
Horse therapy offers physical and mental benefits for a wide range of individuals, including those with disabilities, depression, developmental disorders, or dementia. It’s a comprehensive therapy that includes medical, educational, sports, and recreational elements, focusing on achieving relaxation, improved motor skills, and emotional well-being.
Medical Benefits
Horse therapy provides physical and mental health improvements. It’s effective for people with disabilities, depression, developmental delays, or dementia. The benefits include:
Physical Benefits
- Enhanced balance through rhythmic riding
- Increased muscle strength, especially in core and lower body muscles
- Unconscious stretching and flexibility
- Stimulated internal organs by the hoof vibrations
- Cardiovascular exercise opportunities
Mental Benefits
- Improved communication of intentions and emotions
- Development of social skills through interaction and leadership
- Enhanced cooperation by understanding the horse’s feelings
- Increased confidence and sense of achievement
- Feelings of relaxation and peace through contact with horses
Educational Aspects
Taking care of horses—feeding, grooming, cleaning stables—builds bonds and instills responsibility and independence.
Sports and Recreation
Equipped with specially trained horses and riding gear, horseback riding can be enjoyed as a sport, trail riding, or in competitions, suitable even for people with disabilities.
What kind of horses are used in horse therapy?
Horses used in therapy are selected for their gentle, friendly demeanor, calm nature, and ability to remain unshaken by loud sounds. These horses are slow-moving, kind, and excellent at providing relaxation and emotional comfort, making them ideal for therapy settings.
Summary
Horse therapy is a rehabilitative treatment that helps improve mental and physical functions, leading to faster social reintegration for individuals with disabilities. Both therapy horses and riding horses can heal us emotionally and physically. When you feel tired or stressed, consider visiting horses to experience their calming presence.