Why Do Animals Use Equine Therapy?

Pulling up to Windridge I was in awe at how beautiful the place was. I never in my wildest dreams could have imagined the experience I received at Windridge. I knew horses were therapeutic but not to the extent that I learned that day. While listening to our speakers I learned that horses take 3000 steps in 30 minutes and that their gait is the same as a human. Listening to Charlynn and Debbie talk about what they have built and the reason they built it is absolutely amazing. The compassion they both have about the horses and the people they help, touched me deeply.
As we started our tour of the facility, I was amazed at how much equine education and staff experience is put into teaching a person about horses. From the equipment in the class room with all the riding gear to learning the anatomy of horses. The fact that horses can read emotions from individuals is astounding. I learned that in some cases these horses are some people’s only social interaction that they have. Once they become comfortable talking to the horse they may begin to open up to their peers. Horses give them a sense of belonging and that they are someone …show more content…
People who struggle to make progress or achieve their treatment goals have made significant breakthroughs with the aid of equine therapy. Charlynn and Debbie talked about the research and the effectiveness of equine therapy, and how it helps reduce stress, symptoms of anxiety and depression. It also helps people who struggle with addiction and mental health disorders develop skills for everyday life. Such as building trust, coping with feelings, communication skills, and overcoming fears. This was proven to us in the horse billiard activity they had us participate in. Equine assisted therapy and psychotherapy is a great therapeutic tool for teaching interactions between the client and horse that will benefit all