Therapeutic horseback riding
Therapeutic horseback riding is the use of horses and equine-assisted activities with the goal of enhancing physical, emotional, social, cognitive, behavioral and educational skills for people in recovery or with disabilities, which include autism,[1] cerebral palsy,[2] and mental health disabilities.[3] The therapeutic approach not only focuses on riding skills but also on the development of a relationship between horse and rider that proponents claim provide the greatest therapeutic benefit. Advocates also propose that a team approach with the guidance of a riding instructor is the best for providing treatment.[4]
Claims made as to the efficacy of equine therapies for mental health purposes have been criticized in peer-reviewed literature as lacking proper medical evidence due in large part to poor study design. Critics have also raised ethical questions relating to its expense and its continued promotion in light of this lack of evidence.[3]
Concept
Horses provide a unique neuromuscular stimulation when being ridden through their movement. Horses move in a rhythmic motion that mimics the human movement of walking. While riding, the horses stride acts to move the rider's pelvis in the same rotation and side-to-side movement that occurs when walking. The horses' adjustable gait promotes riders to constantly adjust the speed to achieve the desired pelvic motion while promoting strength, balance, coordination, flexibility and confidence.[5]
History
Horses have been utilized as a therapeutic aid since the ancient Greeks used them for those people who had incurable illnesses.[6] The benefits of therapeutic riding have been dated back to 17th century literature where it is documented that it was prescribed for gout, neurological disorder and low morale.[7]
The term "therapeutic riding" was originally used in Germany to address orthopedic dysfunctions such as scoliosis. The physician would engage a physical therapist and a specially-trained horse and instructor to address the strength and orthopedic dysfunction for one year, after which the patient was discharged. The physical therapist worked with the physician and the patient to attain the patient's goals, and the instructor was responsible for the horse. This later became known as hippotherapy in the US.[citation needed]
Therapeutic riding techniques used today started with Liz Hartel from Denmark. Her legs were paralyzed from polio but with therapy she was able to win the silver medal for dressage in the 1952 Olympic Games. The first riding centers in North America began in the 1960s and the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association(NARHA) was launched in 1969.[8]
Effectiveness
Despite the many promotional claims made for it, there is no evidence that equine-related treatments are and better for helping people's mental health than simply letting time pass; since it is expensive there is therefore little reason for using it as a therapy, and ethical questions surround the promotion of it.[3] Professor of Psychology Michael Anestis and colleagues write that because of the lack of evidence for the effectiveness of equine-related therapies, individuals and institutions should avoid them.[3]
A systematic review of studies on the outcomes of horseback riding therapy on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy was concluded in 2012 with a recommendation for a "large randomized controlled trial using specified protocols" because, although positive evidence was indicated by nine high-quality studies surveyed, the studies were too limited to be considered conclusive.[2]
In the United States and Canada
The Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) accredits centers providing a variety of beneficial services to people with disabilities.[9] The Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) focuses more on the mental-health aspects of human-equine interaction, and provides certification for mental-health and equine professionals.[10]
PATH divides these services into two general categories – "Equine-Assisted Activity" and "Equine-Assisted Therapy". Equine- assisted activities are those services provided by a trained professional and focus on recreation, leisure, sport or education. Examples of equine-assisted activities are therapeutic horseback riding, carriage driving, vaulting and equine-facilitated learning. These activities are based on an educational model; skills are taught to riders, vaulters and students. The professional guiding the experience is a specially-trained, PATH-certified instructor. The professionals’ training provides them with expertise in specialized, adaptive teaching methods which allow people with a variety of disabilities to learn horsemanship skills and experience the equine environment.
In Canada, centers and instructors are regulated by CanTRA, also known as The Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association.
See also
- Equine-assisted psychotherapy
- Hippotherapy
- Para-equestrian
- Riding for the Disabled Association (UK)
- Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) (US)
- Horseback riding simulators
References
- ^ O'Haire ME. Animal-assisted intervention for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic literature review. J Autism Dev Disord. 2013;43(7):1606-1622.
- ^ a b Whalen CN, Case-Smith J. Therapeutic effects of horseback riding therapy on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2012;32(3):229-242.
- ^ a b c d Anestis MD, Anestis JC, Zawilinski LL, Hopkins TA, Lilienfeld SO (2014). "Equine-related treatments for mental disorders lack empirical support: a systematic review of empirical investigations". J Clin Psychol (Systematic review). 70 (12): 1115–32. doi:10.1002/jclp.22113. PMID 24953870.
- ^ All, A. C., Loving, G. L., & Crane, L. L. (1999). Animals, horseback riding, and implications for rehabilitation therapy. Journal of Rehabilitation, July/August/ September, 49-57.
- ^ Borzo, G. (2002). Horsepower. American Medical News, 45 (23), 24-26.
- ^ Bizub, A. L., Joy, A., & Davidson, L. (2003). “It’s like being in another world”: Demonstrating the benefits of therapeutic horseback riding for individuals with psychiatric disability. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 26(4), 377- 384.
- ^ Willis, D. A. (1997). Animal therapy. Rehabilitation Nursing, 22(2), 78-81.
- ^ Benda, W., Fredrickson, M., Flanagan, S., Zembreski-Ruple, J., & McGibbon, N. H. (2000). Animal-assisted therapy: A highly versatile modality. Complementary Medicine for the Physician, 5(6), 41-48.
- ^ "Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International official webpage".
Appreciating the power of the horse to change lives
- ^ "EAGALA- Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association".