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Equine therapy research paper
Equine therapy research paper
Equine therapy research paper
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Equine-Assisted therapy so far has shown commendable results. “Equestrian Therapy” acknowledges that “it is a fairly new technique for autism and other disorders that has been providing promising results such that many are consistently utilize therapy animals in their treatment programs and only for autism but also for people with Asperger’s syndrome. Equine therapy for special needs is an animal-assisted therapy that helps children with a wide variety of disabilities. This type of therapy makes use of riding horses as an effective way of providing physical and emotional therapy as well as psychological benefits” (“Equestrian Therapy”). Equine Therapy helps develop the motor skills of a child while they learn to ride a horse. The calming …show more content…
A variety of researchers have studied the efficacy of therapeutic horseback riding on the social skills of children with autism and other disabilities and emphasized its positive results” (Ghorban, et al). Equine Therapy has a positive effect on social skills with children with special needs. In arguing this claim, Dingman argues that “the social and emotional connections proves the horse’s rhythmic, repetitive movements which work to improve a rider’s social development and motor skills. Children who have trouble relating to humans often learn through interactions with horses how to communicate with peers. (Dingman). The children with social anxiety can make friends and be social instantly at the barn speaking about horses. In Equestrian Therapy it describes “The correct interaction of the child with the horse also serves as an essential tool for improving the social skills of the child with respect to humans” (“Equestrian Therapy”). Social skills are developed and improved with Equine Therapy.
Equine Therapy is known to help improve motor skills and psychological developments in children. Borgi illustrates, “having a goal oriented interaction with horses has an improvement in mental well-being, sense of self efficacy, and self esteem. Positively affecting individuals quality of life and global learning. Targeting sensory and motor difficulties, makes effects
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Riding encourages a child to work with their hands, exercise, and connect with horses and people of all ages, gain confidence, and learn new skills. Courtnee Niggel, an instructor summarizes how “A six year old child was told she will never walk again but after years of equine therapy she is now able to walk with a walker or by holding on to the sides of walls” (Niggel 1). Equine Therapy leaves a child with amazing results and changes their life drastically all the way from growing social skills to helping with motor skills, even to
Development of social skills is very important for children that are diagnosed with autism because of ...
I have always wanted to be a Special Education teacher. I started deciding what I wanted to do in the eighth grade. This was also around the time I was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Asperger’s is an autism spectrum disorder; people with it show difficulties in social interactions, and reading body language. For me, I have trouble making friends and having age appropriate conversations. It is difficult to read people’s emotions, which sometimes gets me into trouble. I have been given the gift to be able to help teach other children with special needs how to ride horses, and also learn about how the horses communicate with these riders differently then a “normal” person. Through working with Ian I have been able to obtain a better understanding of my career goals.
The Case of Temple Grandin paints a picture of a young woman’s determination and hard work while struggling with autism during a time when the disorder was unknown. This case discusses Grandin’s challenges, early diagnosis, growth and development in school, and support from her mother. Temple Grandin could not speak like the other children at the age of two, so because doctors could not find any physical issues she had been subsequently labeled as brain-damaged. To communicate with others, she would throw tantrums and scream. She could speak by three and a half years old with the help of speech therapy. A few years later at the age of five, Grandin was diagnosed with autism so her mother worked with her 30 minutes every day to keep her from being placed in an institution. At her aunt’s ranch, Grandin develops the “squeeze machine” a device used to apply pressure without being stimulating. Grandin excelles in school and receives her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Franklin Pierce College in 1970. After her graduation from college in 1970, Grandin attends Arizona State University where she earns a master’s degree in cattle in 1975. In 1989, Grandin earns her doctoral degree from the University of Urbana-Champaign in animal science. Grandin has never married, but she is proof that individuals with autism can lead productive and notable lives (Meyer, Chapman, & Weaver, 2009).
Equine-assisted therapy, also known as equine therapy or equestrian therapy, is a type of animal-assisted therapy intended to teach, counsel, and/or rehabilitate people with disabilities. This type of experiential therapy includes activities such as: grooming and caring for, haltering and leading, tacking up, and riding horses. Each of those activities foster interactions between the rider or patient, and horse, building a bond between the human and horse. In a typical equestrian therapy setting, usually a dedicated therapeutic barn, a mental health professional and/or an “equine therapist can observe and interact with the patient in order to identify behavior patterns and process thoughts and emotions” (“What Is Equine Therapy?”). In some
As of 2011, it has been reported that there are 650 million disabled people in the world (“Disabilities”). Though this number is high, it is greatly underestimated because disabled people are commonly isolated and stigmatized by their community (“Disabilities”). After hearing of this extremely high number of disabled people, I then ultimately decided I would write my research paper on ways to help the disabled. Therapeutic riding has been actively helping individuals with disabilities for decades, and can benefit these unfortunate people physically, mentally, and emotionally. “Therapeutic riding, which originated in Europe, has been actively helping individuals with disabilities since the 1950's” (Shepard). Through equine-orientated activities, therapeutic riding is used to contribute to the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well being of people with emotional issues and disabilities (Shepard). I was astonished on how many ways therapeutic riding can benefit disabled people.
Why? That seems to be a constant question society asks every time a tragic incident happens in the world or a child suffers from abuse or depression. Why do these things occur? The answer is still unknown, but the way of helping those who struggle from mental illnesses, abuse, or depression is not unknown. Allowing those individuals into a place that gives them a sense of safeness and a comfortable place to talk will show them strength and support and will also help them deal with their tragic event or problem. However, there are more ways than just sitting in a room talking about an individual's problems to help overcome the recurring issues in today's society, such as using therapeutic animals like horses to help individuals feel more at
Equine veterinarians are animal doctors who provide medical care for horses. They examine, test and occasionally operate on or euthanize the animals. Travel to ranches and farms is often necessary, and equine vets have to work outdoors in various types of weather conditions. Being an equine veterinarian is a pleasant career choice because of great interactions with varied types of horses and their owners , the basic information, and the pros and cons of an equine veterinarian.
For decades, Scientists have contemplated the idea of using horses for the personal gain of children and adults with needs such as autism, heart conditions, anxiety, stress, and other disorders that have yet to be curable. Horses such as Chester, a twenty year old gelding has encouraged more young riders who face difficulties such as social skills, behavior skills, and those who are physically indisposed. The phrase confidence is key, becomes important when people of all ages interact with a horse. Learning confidence may not be as easy as it sounds but is a necessary step to bond with a horse; without it, there can be no trust and most importantly, no bond between the equine and its rider.
Most people are familiar with service dogs and have seen them in action. Animal-assisted therapy is similar service animals in that an animal-human healing partnership is being created. However, the difference is that therapy pets are typically used to treat a mental disability whereas people with physical disabilities use service dogs to help them in many ways. Therapy animals are used in a wide variety of places, such as, hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, therapy sessions, mental healthcare facilities, and even in people’s homes. These amazing animals are used on a wide variety of different disorders, but they are utilized mostly by people suffering from depression, anxiety, and PTSD. For people with these mental health disorders, everything in live can be difficult and challenging, however with the help of animal-assisted therapy, their mood, motivation, and life can dramatically improve. Anyone who hears about these brave, loving animals soon falls in love with them. From a medical standpoint, there have been many successful studies and the support for animal-assisted therapy still continues to grow in doctors and therapists across the nation.
When riding a horse you don’t just sit there and do nothing, You work hard to control a 800-1000 pound animal. You have to push your horse and yourself to the greatest you can be. It is a lot of work, it is just like any other sport. You have to go ride your horse at least 4 times a week, you practice in the wind, rain, snow, when it’s hot out, and event when it is freezing cold.
Children with autism have multiple characteristic impairments in their social interaction skills. This results from the lack of “Theory of Mind” in autistic individuals. Autistic children have difficulty interpreting what another person may be thinking or feeling. Social impairments may cause the child to act inappropriately in social interactions and prevent the children from truly taking part in interactions. The children have difficulty recognizing social cues and responding to cues. Autistic children have a hard time forming relationships as a result of these impairments. Social stories, Applied Behavior Analysis, and Pivotal Response Training are three therapy techniques that help children with autism learn appropriate social behavior. Social stories allow the children to practice the situation in a lower stress environment. Applied Behavior Analysis utilizes positive reinforce to teach desired skills. Pivotal Response Training allows the child to learn social skills while in a natural play environment. Learning social skills through these techniques enable the children to have more meaningful relationships and engage more in their community.
There was a year spent volunteering at Edelweiss Equine Assisted Therapy Group Inc. During the year of 2008 there were several duties performed at the outdoor facility that housed Edleweiss. While working at Edelweiss three were several activities that took place. The starting position was to help those who came for les...
Starting back from the time I was only four years old, I have endured many moments with horses that led to my decision to become an equine veterinarian. From caring for my pregnant Palomino horse after she was attacked by my American Bulldog, to having to euthanize my Appaloosa horse, witnessing multiple equine colic incidents, and having a Quarter horse with navicular disease. Even at the age of ten years old, I was waking up on my own at 5:30 AM just to feed my horses. After trekking all the way to the barn in the extreme cold and six inches of snow, I was happily greeted by Cody, my Appaloosa. In that one moment, the early morning responsibilities and freezing temperatures faded away, and were replaced with a refueled passion for veterinarian medicine.
I have over 16 years’ experience in the field of equine care ranging between studying for a veterinary nursing degree, competitive show jumping and leisure. The degree that I am studying for is derived from my keen interest in the field of animal health and general well-being which originates in particular from my early fondness of horses. I owned a horse named ‘Henry’ for over 4 years but due to moving to a location unable to hold a large horse like Henry, I had to re-home him. Among my many years’ experience in the equine environment, I have worked and volunteered extensively throughout various horse riding schools and livery yards throughout Ireland. I have participated in helping and assisting my friends and colleagues in rehabilitation yards while occasionally over the years have worked with foals and stallions in addition to breaking in young horses. I am confident that I have the required (a lot of) experience with equine husbandry and handling to give a detailed account on re-feeding a malnourished horse from both a medical and professional standpoint as well as a personalised point of view from experience.
Goals can change in ten years, however with dedication, perseverance, and adaptability, I can achieve my goals. I plan on double majoring in equine science (pre-vet option) and equitation & training, and minor in business. After completing my undergraduate work, I plan on attending vet school to focus on animal chiropractic. My education will consume a majority of the next decade, but my personal time will be spent enjoying cutting, team roping, and barrel racing. As a long range career goal, I hope to run a nationally reputable equine therapy company that includes a horse swimming facility. I have already initiated this goal through learning the basics of equine therapy by investing in a Magna Wave PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) machine