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INDIANA EQUINE ASSISTED PROGRAMS - ACTIVITIES
Therapeutic Riding/Driving
The Indiana Horse Council Committee for Equine Assisted Programs (Therapeutic Riding/ Driving) has seen exciting growth and diversity through its evolution over the last ten years. In fact, it is all this diversity that has prompted the committee to change its name from just The Therapeutic Riding and Driving Committee to The Equine Assisted Program Committee. But how much do you really know about this growing industry of Equine Assisted Programs? From its humble beginnings in 1993, Indiana has seen the number of centers rise from three to fifteen. Each center offers its own variety of equine assisted programs ranging from therapeutic riding, therapeutic driving, vaulting, and hippotherapy to mental health and school programs.
References to the physical and emotional benefits of horseback riding date back to writings in the 1600’s. However, when Liz Hartel of Denmark won the silver medal for dressage at the 1952 Olympic Games after rehabilitating from polio through horseback riding, medical and equine professionals took active notice. It wasn’t long before therapeutic riding was being used for rehabilitation in England and then in North America. The first programs for therapeutic riding in North America began operation in the 1960’s.
Equine Assisted Programs may be divided into two categories: Equine Assisted Activities and Equine Assisted Therapy. Equine Assisted Activities, including therapeutic riding, driving, and vaulting are not therapy but sport and recreational activities that have therapeutic value. Riding skills are taught along with games and activities incorporated into the lessons to enhance skills, balance, coordination, communication, strength and problem solving. Research shows that students who participate in equine assisted activities can experience many different physical, emotional and mental rewards.
Licensed therapists who incorporate the horse as one of their tools during therapy sessions conduct equine Assisted Therapy. Hippotherapy is a treatment strategy used by occupational, physical and speech therapists. The movement of the horse is carefully modulated to influence neuromuscular changes in the client. This is different from therapeutic riding where the rider influences the movement of the horse. Grooming, and other experiential activities are used by a therapist to allow “hands on” learning as part of the treatment towards increased self-awareness, self-control, bonding, trusting, communication and personal skill development. Benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy include improved strength, coordination, sensory processing, neuromuscular function, communication skills and cognitive skills.
The horses that participate in these equine assisted programs have a big job. For the majority of our equine partners, this may be their second or even third career. No matter what their role, they must have the temperament and physical ability to perform their jobs consistently and fearlessly. Conscientious individuals who want a good, safe home where the horse will be loved and attended to typically donate program horses. Most centers accept horses on a 30-day trial basis. It is during this time they can introduce the horse to the various equipment, toys and individuals they would be working with on a day-to-day basis. It is of utmost importance to make sure that horse will not only be safe but that he/she will also enjoy his new role as a program horse.
Other aspects to consider when determining the use of a specific horse for a program include age, conformation, health and soundness, size and conditioning needs. The ideal age for the program horse is from 7 to 18 years. Unfortunately, centers generally don’t have the funding to purchase horses in this age range so the majority of the program horses are older and require special attention to their feeding and conditioning programs. As the saying goes “form follows function” and this is no different for the program horse. Conformation or how the horse is put together will tell you what kind of movement the rider or client/patient will experience and also how the horse will hold up over time. There is room for a wide variety of conformation combinations in a program; however, each will require special attention to their weak areas if they are to hold up over time in an equine assisted program.
Healthy horses make for happy administrators! Keeping a stable of program horses is costly. The mental and physical well being of a program horse is crucial to effective programs. The most unique aspect our equine partner has to offer the rider/client is the three dimensional movement it imparts and the animal-human bond. But this movement is only as effective as the horse is sound or mentally ready to work. Good cost effective stable management addressing routine health care and turnout keep program horses healthy and program costs down.
The size of program horses varies. Equine assisted activities involve a wider variety of sizes compared to the size of a horse used in hippotherapy. Miniature horses and ponies are typically used for visitation programs in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, etc. Miniatures, ponies or horses may be involved in driving programs. Hippotherapy uses primarily horses ranging from 14.2 to 15.3 hands to allow facilitation by therapists. Vaulting utilizes a desired size of horse for the positions and transitions accomplished on the back of the horse. The size of the horse for non-mounted activities may vary depending on the activity.
The IHC Committee for Equine Assisted Programs wishes to congratulate the Indiana Horse Council on its 25th year of hosting the Hoosier Horse Fair & Expo and its service to the equine industry. This committee would not be where it is today without the support and leadership it has provided. Our gratitude is also extended to patrons like you who have graciously given time and/or financial support of these programs throughout the state.
