An equine therapy retreat is not a place where horses are sent for rest and rehabilitation. Equine therapy retreats are actually designed for people; the horses are part of the program that helps clients find answers to problems that keep them from living life to the fullest. This way of enhancing mental health is rapidly gaining in popularity.
For a fairly recent mental health protocol, the concept of using horses to help people come to grips with problems in their lives has grown rapidly. Today North America has over 250 certified centers, and there are others overseas. The programs seem to draw from therapeutic riding, team building exercises, and stress relief methods to create a new kind of psychology.
In the 1960's in America, people began therapeutic riding programs for children and adults with disabilities. There are many physical benefits from riding a horse. Participants see improvement in balance, core strength, posture, and motor and sensory skills. Autistic children who have trouble bonding with even their parents often communicate with a pony. Kids who live in a wheelchair can see the world from the perspective of someone who can stand. The action of a horse moves the spine of its rider in a manner similar to natural walking.
Even beyond the physical possibilities, therapists were struck by the emotional and mental benefits of the program. As the old adage says, they discovered that 'the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man'. Horses were able to connect to their riders in ways that counselors or even family members were unable to do.
People build walls against a hurtful world. They hide behind social or professional masks. They fail to try because of past failures. Horses seem to intuitively respond to the real person, to hidden tensions or fear or to aggression, and people have to change to succeed with them. Horses are also willing to forgive and quick to react to firm kindness. Successfully guiding a horse is a wonderful experience to someone who lacks self-confidence.
People with anxiety issues, who suffer from depression, who are unable to form and keep relationships, or who have lost hope come to retreats. There they connect with nature, see beautiful scenery, and interact with gentle, magnificent horses. Some places also have dogs, cats, chickens, sheep, or other friendly animals. City dwellers may never have known the peace of the countryside.
Business executives find relief from the challenges and stress of over-work. People who feel inadequate grow as they learn to work with a massive but willing animal partner. Some centers use meditation techniques, but most rely simply on working with horses to help people learn to know themselves. The goal is to refresh, release, and renew, and person after person finds that it works.
'Hippotherapy' is getting rave reviews from those who have tried it and found it life changing. Go online to find centers in Colorado, North Carolina, or England. Read about how people surrender their goals, objectives, and personal agendas to engage in the present with a horse, a prey animal who is willing to trust them implicitly.
For a fairly recent mental health protocol, the concept of using horses to help people come to grips with problems in their lives has grown rapidly. Today North America has over 250 certified centers, and there are others overseas. The programs seem to draw from therapeutic riding, team building exercises, and stress relief methods to create a new kind of psychology.
In the 1960's in America, people began therapeutic riding programs for children and adults with disabilities. There are many physical benefits from riding a horse. Participants see improvement in balance, core strength, posture, and motor and sensory skills. Autistic children who have trouble bonding with even their parents often communicate with a pony. Kids who live in a wheelchair can see the world from the perspective of someone who can stand. The action of a horse moves the spine of its rider in a manner similar to natural walking.
Even beyond the physical possibilities, therapists were struck by the emotional and mental benefits of the program. As the old adage says, they discovered that 'the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man'. Horses were able to connect to their riders in ways that counselors or even family members were unable to do.
People build walls against a hurtful world. They hide behind social or professional masks. They fail to try because of past failures. Horses seem to intuitively respond to the real person, to hidden tensions or fear or to aggression, and people have to change to succeed with them. Horses are also willing to forgive and quick to react to firm kindness. Successfully guiding a horse is a wonderful experience to someone who lacks self-confidence.
People with anxiety issues, who suffer from depression, who are unable to form and keep relationships, or who have lost hope come to retreats. There they connect with nature, see beautiful scenery, and interact with gentle, magnificent horses. Some places also have dogs, cats, chickens, sheep, or other friendly animals. City dwellers may never have known the peace of the countryside.
Business executives find relief from the challenges and stress of over-work. People who feel inadequate grow as they learn to work with a massive but willing animal partner. Some centers use meditation techniques, but most rely simply on working with horses to help people learn to know themselves. The goal is to refresh, release, and renew, and person after person finds that it works.
'Hippotherapy' is getting rave reviews from those who have tried it and found it life changing. Go online to find centers in Colorado, North Carolina, or England. Read about how people surrender their goals, objectives, and personal agendas to engage in the present with a horse, a prey animal who is willing to trust them implicitly.
About the Author:
You can find details about the benefits of receiving equine therapy and more info about equine therapy retreats at http://www.horsesenseandthehumanheart.com right now.