by Rena Sherwood

Created on: July 16, 2008   Last Updated: June 25, 2009

Whether a child is recovering from an injury or illness or is born handicapped and trying to find their place in the world, therapeutic horseback riding benefits them in many ways. A horse is a much better therapist than a human being or specialized equipment. The only big disadvantage of therapeutic horseback riding is traveling to and from the stable. You have to travel out to the country in order to find a stable with such a program.

Physical Benefits

A horse moves in a unique side to side and up and down motion that makes a rider use most of the muscle groups in his or her body. This also helps the child learn how to balance in shifting conditions. Also, some parts of the body might be stimulated through handicapped horseback riding than by many other activities, so the child's circulation gets a stimulating workout.

Therapeutic horseback riding does not solely consist of the child on horseback being lead around a ring. There are also exercises tailor made for each child. The child might ride facing the horse's tail, catch toys while on horseback or learn how to groom the horse. All of these stimulate the child's entire musculoskeletal system.

Psychological Benefits

Befriending a thousand pound animal is a boost in self-confidence unequaled in conventional medicine. Children know that adults are capable of lying to them, even about their physical progress. But horses can't lie. If you do well riding a horse, it's because you have balance, control and a feel for how your horse is doing. This can be accomplished without a fully functional body.

Therapeutic horseback riding can graphically prove to a child that they are still valued members of society and have a lot to offer. Memories of riding successes can help a child try things he or she might not try otherwise due to fear of failure or ridicule.

Emotional Benefits

When you know you are different from other children, there is not that much of an incentive to try anything new or interact with others. There is a very real possibility the child will become dangerously depressed and withdrawn. Therapeutic horseback riding brings the child into a safe world where the horse fully accepts the rider's physical condition without making any snide remarks.

But not only that, volunteers and riding instructors help the child to interact with others, even if just them or anyone having to do with horses. If the child is really happy about horseback riding, then when the child is not at the barn and doing poorly, talking about the horses can sometimes help the child and his or her caretakers have something to talk about. The child then doesn't feel so alone.

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