For the Love of Horses

Have you heard of Elliott Acres Therapeutic Riding Center in Butler, PA? The Center offers therapeutic riding opportunities to adults and children with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities. When I visited 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. Elliott Acres currently is the home to five horses and one pony.

Have you considered the benefits therapeutic riding or just time with horses 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.

The benefits of equine therapy according to Elliott Acres website:

Therapeutic riding is beneficial for children and adults with any 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 which makes 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.

Social Interaction

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.

Personal Growth

Therapeutic riding assists with companionship, responsibilities, confidence, leadership, vocational and educational skills.

Relationship Building

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.

Self-Esteem

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.

Power of Choice

Therapeutic riding may help a rider feel more in control of their situation.

Don’t forget (and this really is most important), 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. Over the years I have heard from so many people that therapy will not work for this person for one reason or another.

However, 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 should be explored. The point is not to give up. Each person is unique which means what is helpful to that person is also unique.

So if you think equine therapy might benefit someone you support or want to give it a try, there are several places geared to help you learn more in our surrounding areas. These are a few we have discovered.

Elliot Acres
Therapeutic Riding Center
168 Headland Road
Butler, PA 16002
Call them: (724) 991-2477
Drop them a line: dechorsesr1@gmail.com
Visit at: https://www.elliottacrestherapyriding.org/
Or friend them: https://www.facebook.com/EATRC 

Storm Harbor Equestrian Center 
245 Harmony Road 
Slippery Rock, PA 16057
Call them: (724) 738-4010
Drop them a line: stormharbor@sru.edu 
Visit at: https://www.sru.edu/offices/storm-harbor-equestrian-center
Or friend them: https://www.facebook.com/StormHarbor

VARHA
150 Wagner Drive 
Franklin, PA 16323
Call Them: (814) 437-7433
Fax Them: (814) 432-7722 
Drop them a line: varhacenter@verizon.net 
Visit at: https://www.varha.org
Or friend them: https://www.facebook.com/VARHA