Equine Therapy

Improving Human Relationships through Horses

For many of our students, horses hold a special captivation. Studies have shown that interaction with horses is effective as physical, mental, and emotional therapy. We often see marked changes in a student who has spent some valuable time in the therapeutic riding program. Much of the benefit of our Equine Program is centered on the horses' ability to draw empathy and care from the students. Even students who struggle with human relationships generally develop a deep and meaningful relationship with the horse(s) they are working with. This relationship, like any other, must be maintained on a foundation of respect, trust, and patience, which gives the student practice for forming and maintaining healthy relationships with people.

By working around horses, students build a great amount of confidence in themselves as they learn how to work through fear, work toward goals, and strive for success. Learning how to be successful with horses gives students the confidence and skills they need to work toward goals in other areas of their lives. The Therapeutic Equine Program gives each student the opportunity to work with an outstanding horseman who teaches each student the keys to a successful relationship with a horse. He then translates the keys of trust, kindness, and compassion into the student’s relationships with peers, family, and adults. Students learn much more than just riding and caring for horses by participating in the Equine Program.

Studies have shown that people with autism who work with horses learn to communicate and respond to humans through their interactions with horses. Because horses are so varied in their personalities, they offer a singular opportunity for students to learn compassion. Students learn to work with troubled horses, abused horses, and challenging horses; often, the students begin to see themselves and their behaviors mirrored in these horses. They learn to adapt to behaviors as well as see how horses adapt to their own behaviors. They develop relationships; they learn responsibility and commitment; and they respond to the pure joy of working with animals. The students encounter the benefit of developing relationships with both the horses and each other; they learn that relationships with horses and humans take time and that trust is something that needs to be built.