For the Love of Horses
I recently had the opportunity to experience Elliott Acres Therapeutic Riding Center in Butler, PA. The Center offers therapeutic riding opportunities to adults and children with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities. The owner, Deb Campbell, was nothing but delightful. She and her staff were patient in offering instructions on how to groom the horses. Riding will be offered again beginning in April. Have you considered the benefits this could offer to the person you support? Currently both the Consolidated Waiver and PFDF Waiver services support equine therapy as an augmented therapy service.
There have been a number of studies related to the benefits of equine therapy. These studies have reviewed the impact that equine therapy may have on balance, gait, movement disorders, fine and gross motor movement, self esteem, concentration and attention span, adaptability, bonding and socialization.
According to Elliott Acres website
Therapeutic riding is beneficial for children and adults who present with any of a wide range of cognitive, physical, and emotional conditions. Most riders with disabilities love having a quiet, peaceful, environment in which they feel safe. Horses share this love of quiet and peace making therapeutic riding a perfect common ground. Each rider and each disability is very different, but below you can find several examples of how therapy riding can help:
Therapeutic riding provides a social activity for riders that may have problems in social situations. Riders must learn, not only to interact with their horse, but to listen to their instructor.
Therapeutic riding assists with companionship, responsibilities, confidence, leadership, vocational and educational skills.
Therapeutic riding may help riders extend the skills learned while interacting with the horse to interaction with others around them and to form meaningful relationships with people.
The trust and loyalty displayed by the horse demonstrates to a rider how important they are. The rider may then take this newly-acquired self-esteem and apply it to their own personal relationships.
Therapeutic riding may help a rider feel more in control of their situation.
And most importantly – it’s fun!
https://www.elliottacrestherapyriding.org/faq.html
It is interesting to watch the dynamics between a horse and a person. While each person is different, each horse is equally as unique. Elliott Acres currently is the home to five horses and one pony. Over the years I have heard from so many people that therapy will not work for this person for one reason or another. But we know that as a system we support the most traumatized people in society. Knowing this, how can we refute the need for therapy. Perhaps traditional talk therapy is not the best form for the person we support. Does that mean we give up? Often times that is sadly what happens. I don’t believe that it is because we don’t care. I believe it is because we haven’t, as a system, been encouraged to think outside of the box. This may mean equine therapy, art therapy, music therapy, or some other avenue that can be explored. But the point is this: not to give up. Each person is unique and what is helpful to them is unique.
So if you think equine therapy might benefit someone you support there are several places geared to help you learn more in our surrounding areas.
Elliot Acres Therapeutic Riding Center 168 Headland Road Butler, PA 16002 (724) 283-0947 or (724) 991-2477 https://www.elliottacrestherapyriding.org/
Storm Harbor Equestrian Center (724) 738-4010 E-mail: stormharbor@sru.edu
VARHA 150 Wagner Drive Franklin, PA 16323 (814) 437-7433 Fax: 814-432-7722 Email: varhacenter@verizon.net
