The Benefits of Equine Therapy
We believe that equine-assisted activities can have a profound impact on children with disabilities. Our program is designed to support your child's physical, emotional, and cognitive development through therapeutic interactions with horses. Take a look at some of the ways ways our activities can benefit your child.
Overall Fitness
Horses can help children develop core strength, balance, coordination, and control through their movement. By observing and interacting with horses, children can strengthen their muscles and improve their motor skills.
Example: Riding Exercises
Children can participate in riding exercises where they learn to guide the horse through various movements. These activities help develop balance, coordination, and control as the children adapt to the horse's movements.
Comfort & Self-Esteem
Horses connect with people in special ways. They can help children who struggle with communication feel more comfortable and learn to share their thoughts and feelings. Learning to care for a horse can also build confidence and self-esteem in children.
Example: Grooming Sessions
Children engage in grooming sessions where they brush and care for the horse. This hands-on activity helps them feel more comfortable around the animal and provides a sense of accomplishment. As they learn to care for the horse, their confidence and self-esteem grow.
Attention & Sensory Processing
Working with horses can help boost attention span and concentration. Kids learn to understand non-verbal social cues and process sensory information. Horses can also help manage sensory overload and stress, making children feel more at ease and less judged.
Example: Leading the Horse
Children take turns leading the horse around the arena, which requires them to focus on the horse’s non-verbal cues and maintain attention to guide it safely. This activity boosts their concentration and helps them process sensory information, reducing sensory overload and stress.
Life Skills
At Reins of Hope, children with disabilities have the opportunity to learn valuable life skills through hands-on activities with horses. When we say life skills, we mean:
Responsibility: At Reins of Hope, children care for the horses by feeding, grooming, and cleaning the stables. This teaches the importance of taking care of another living being and the commitment required to maintain the horses.
Patience: Working with horses requires patience, since they respond best to calm and consistent interactions. Children learn to take their time, follow steps carefully, and wait for the horses to respond — which can be particularly beneficial for those who struggle with impulsivity.
Communication: Children enhance their communication skills by learning to give clear and consistent commands to the horses. This helps them practice verbal communication and also learn to interpret non-verbal cues from the horses.
Teamwork: Many activities at the ranch involve working together with other children and staff. This teamwork fosters collaboration, teaches the value of helping one another, and encourages a sense of community and support.
Problem-Solving: Handling horses often requires children to think on their feet and solve problems as they arise. Whether it's figuring out the best way to lead a horse or adjusting to the horse's behavior, these experiences help develop critical thinking and adaptability.
