What are the different types of equine assisted therapy?

5 Popular Types Of Equine Therapy

  • #1 – Therapeutic Horseback Riding.
  • #2 – Hippotherapy.
  • #3 – Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL)
  • #4 – Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP)
  • #5 – Less-Common Therapies.

What is occupational therapy with horses called?

Abstract. Hippotherapy is a form of physical, occupational and speech therapy in which a therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input.

What is equine-assisted psychotherapy?

Equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP), also known as equine-assisted psychotherapy, is, as the name suggests, therapy that features interactions with horses. Unlike therapeutic horseback riding, a licensed mental health professional facilitates EFP group sessions, and, in many cases, no horseback riding is involved.

What problem can therapy horses solve?

Certain equine-assisted therapies are effective for children with cerebral palsy, behavioral tics, motor control issues, and coordination problems, and for people of any age with reduced mobility. Research has found Equine Therapy to also be beneficial for those with eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia.

What is the difference between hippotherapy and equine therapy?

Equine-assisted therapy focuses on addressing mental health, with patients caring for horses in a stable setting. Hippotherapy, on the other hand, is an approach to physical therapy where the patient rides horses in order to address physical health.

How are horses selected for equine therapy?

Horses, which might be full-size or smaller ponies, are chosen as therapy animals based partially on their ability to withstand a great deal of distraction and tolerate unpredictable or erratic behavior from people riding or grooming them.

How does horse therapy help autism?

Horses calm riders with autism, allowing them to focus, think and accept training. The desire to ride also allows us to encourage positive behaviors and gently discourage negative behaviors.

What makes a good therapy horse?

Desired traits include: soundness; three good, clear gaits at the walk, trot and canter; nice temperament; ability to tolerate attention by many people; low flight response; and a height of 14 hands to 16 hands in order to serve children and adult riders. HC: What training does my horse need to be a therapy horse?

Is equine therapy good for anxiety?

Beachwood’s Integrative Equine Therapy (IET), is a powerful new natural approach to treating anxiety and provides relief from stress in a shorter time than conventional therapy.

Does Medi cal cover equine therapy?

Hippotherapy or equine therapy is a covered benefit for a member who: Has received clearance from their primary care provider. Participates in a case or disease management program. Has a diagnosis of a substance use disorder.

Is equine therapy effective?

Research shows that Equine-Assisted Therapy is effective for treating adolescents experiencing depression, anxiety, and/or trauma-related symptoms, as well as ADHD, autism, dissociative disorders, and other mental health diagnoses.

Can horses sense sadness?

What emotions do horses have? Horses feel both their own feelings and yours, too. Horses feel anger, jealousy, sadness, loss, joy, happiness, “the blues,” and are capable of developing very deep bonds with the right person.