Therapeutic horseback riding

Therapeutic horseback riding is an alternative therapy for individuals with a range of physical, emotional, cognitive, and social special needs. There are several different kinds of programs that utilize horses and horseback riding for therapeutic benefits. Sometimes referred to as equine assisted therapy, therapeutic riding is usually most effective in children because of the nature of mental, physical and social development. However, equine assisted therapy produces very favourable improvements in riders of all ages. There are hundreds of programs around the world as well many organizations dedicated to the various forms of equine assisted therapy. "Therapeutic riding" refers specifically to horseback riding lessons for people with special needs in which the therapeutic benefits of riding are a result of learning riding skills. Other forms of equine assisted therapy include hippotherapy, in which a certified therapist uses the horse as a therapeutic tool, and equine facilitated psychotherapy in which a certified mental health professional utilises the horse in various ways for therapeutic benefit.

Therapeutic riding is sometimes considered a form of animal assisted therapy. As with canine assisted therapy and dolphin therapy, the contact with another living being and the special bond people form with animals is used as a therapeutic tool. However, horses provide more than just skills acquired from a relationship with an animal or learning to care for an animal. Riding a horse provides a unique and often profound therapy for many people. The motion of the horse, concentration needed to require riding skills and communication between therapist/instructor and rider allows people with a variety of disabilities to benefit from riding. Riding, like many other alternative therapies, can also be considered a form of recreational therapy. That is, because riding is an enjoyable activity for many people, therapeutic riding is also used as a quality of life therapy for people with degenerative diseases as well as a 'fun therapy' for children and adults alike. Riding is a rapidly growing field with much diversification. Although it is termed 'alternative,' horseback riding has been recognized by many medical professionals and therapists as a very effective therapy for just about anyone.

Historical overview

Therapeutic Riding can be traced throughout the ages. There is documentation of individuals exploring the various therapeutic benefits of horsemanship as far back as 600 B.C. The first modern study of the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding can be traced back to 1875. Cassaign, a physician prescribed riding for his patients believing that riding would benefit individuals with issues including neurological disorders, joint pain and immobility and balance. Oxford Hospital in England suggested riding therapy for soldiers injured in World War I. Because of the unique bond that is often formed between human and animal people throughout the ages have recognised the importance of riding for people with special needs. This knowledge has grown throughout the ages and been utilized in various different ways. However, therapeutic riding was not recognised as a therapeutic discipline until fairly recently.

Modern roots

Therapeutic riding is most often attributed to Lis Hartel, a wheelchair bound woman from Denmark who was determined to ride despite her disability. In the mid 1940s there were significant outbreaks of polio in Scandinavia; Hartel was stricken with this illness, which limited her mobility. Hartel was successful in her efforts to rehabilitate herself using horseback riding, so successful that she went on to win an Olympic silver metal for Grand Prix Dressage. Her fortitude and remarkable achievement caught the attention of therapists, doctors and horsemen alike. Hartel paired up with a physical therapist named Ulla Harpoth; together the women started one of the first therapeutic riding programs. Word quickly spread of this successful treatment and riding programs developed all over Europe, North America and Australia.