NEWS & VIEWS

Those who are familiar with horses recognize and understand the power of horses to influence people in incredibly powerful ways.  Developing relationships, training, horsemanship instruction, and caring for horses naturally affects the people involved in a positive manner.

The benefits of work ethic, responsibility, assertiveness, communication, and healthy relationships has long been recognized. Horses naturally provide these benefits.  The use of horses is growing and gaining popularity with the rise of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning.

We are often asked, “Why horses?  Why not other animals?”

Naturally intimidating to many, horses are large and powerful. This creates a natural opportunity for some to overcome fear and develop confidence. Working alongside a horse, in spite of those fears, creates confidence and provides wonderful insight when dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations in life.

Like humans, horses are social animals, with defined roles within their herds.  They would rather be with their peers. They have distinct personalities, attitudes and moods; an approach that works with one horse won’t necessarily work with another.  At times, they seem stubborn and defiant.  They like to have fun.  In other words, horses provide vast opportunities for metaphorical learning, an effective technique when working with even the most challenging individuals or groups.

Horses require us to work, whether in caring for them or working with them.  In an era when immediate gratification and the “easy way” are the norm, horses require people to be engaged in physical and mental work to be successful, a valuable lesson in all aspects of life.

Most importantly, horses mirror human body language.  Many complain, “This horse is stubborn.  That horse doesn’t like me,” etc.  The lesson is that if they change themselves, the horses respond differently.  Horses are honest, which makes them especially powerful messengers.

Sometimes having someone from the outside offer suggestions in a non-threatening non-blaming manner is what it takes to be “Herd”. This is where RainBow Rising, utilizing horses in the therapy sessions provides a new perspective.     

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POWERFUL RESULTS OF EQUINE-BASED THERAPY

These results can be so powerful, that a relatively new form of equine-based therapy uses them to help people with emotional and physical challenges. Equine-Assisted Therapy is used to treat patients challenged with everything from cerebral palsy and autism, to drug and alcohol dependency and post-traumatic stress syndrome.  The therapy takes advantage of the mental and physical exercise that working with a horse can provide. Mentally or emotionally, interacting with a horse means dealing with and working around its moods, attitudes and personality. Physically, caring and riding a horse provides a chance to improve muscle strength, along with balance and coordination.

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