Within Equine therapy there several forms and style of treatment which range from riding to grooming, which allows for a unique individualized approach to therapy. Since there are various forms of treatment, there is one overall term that encompasses all forms of equine therapy which are known as Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapy. “Therapeutic horseback riding uses a therapeutic team, usually including a certified therapeutic riding instructor to help an individual ride a horse and work with it on the ground. Hippotherapy usually involves an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, or a speech and language therapist working with a client and a horse. Different movements of the horse present challenges to the rider …show more content…
Hippocrates noted in his writings that there is a value to therapeutic riding which helped those who have neurological disorders, gout, and low morale. However, it was not until the mid-1900 were when equine therapy began to become a popular treatment. In 1946 Scandinavia used equine therapy for an outbreak of Polio. Liz Hartel used Hippocrates to help her win the silver medal for dressage in the 1952 Olympic Games even though she was permanently paralyzed from knees down and had some effects in her arms and hands, as well as affecting her arms and hands from Denmark. In the 1960’s Austria, Germany and Switzerland began using Hippotherapy in conjunction with the traditional method of physical therapy. “Therapeutic riding was introduced to the United States and Canada in 1960 with the formation of the Community Association of Riding of the Disabled (CARD). In the United States riding for the disabled developed as a form of recreation and as a means of motivation for education, as well as its therapeutic benefits.” “The discipline was formalized in the United States in 1992 with the formation of the American Hippotherapy Association (AHA). Since its inception, the AHA has established official standards of practice and formalized therapist educational curriculum processes for occupational, physical and speech therapists in the United States.” …show more content…
“Using the horse as both a therapeutic and educational tool has also supported the creation of a learning environment that encourages children to explore the full range of their abilities. Skills and traits are being developed that will enable these children to make a positive contribution to society and with the necessary support bring about real change in their community” (http://www.changemakerschools.org/blog/) In Orlando, Florida, Freedom Riders uses the therapy to get students outside of their typical environment to have sessions without realizing one is in therapy. Freedom Riders uses, “therapeutic riding gives each a sense of empowerment and interacting with our horses doesn’t just strengthen muscles and improve balance and coordination— the generous nature of our horses strengthens emotional bonds, building trust and confidence with each session.” The primary focus of Freedom Riders is to use Therapeutic Houseback Riding, “to provide basic riding lessons tailored to fit each rider's specific needs, helping improve their levels of strength, balance, mobility and confidence during their riding experience.” “Freedom Ride offers a Hippotherapy Program when our certified therapists are available to provide this