[Yoda]

I wasn't sure if this should go in psychotherapy or critters or where so move it if you like...

Has anybody here ever participated in horse therapy/therapeutic horse riding either as a student or as a facilitator? I wanted to assist in a local one but their farm caught fire and most of the horses died.

Personally I know I could never have made it through my tough times without my horse. I would love to help others with horses but the nearest center from me now is over two hours drive.

http://www.wayofthehorse.org/Article...e-therapy.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therape...rseback_riding

[Ascension]

I would think that this would be a great way to treat persons with mental illness. I can't relate directly to the horse part of it but animals are a very good partner for life. To have something rely on you for their well being is a good thing. I would not be here if not for my dog, I miss her so much sometimes. To not know what would have happened to her if I had done something to myself was enough to get me through some of my darkest times. She needed me and that saved me.

[KathyM]

Horses kept ME sane (shut up Yoda!). They are a dog's best friend - good listeners and extremely aware of their surroundings. If they don't like you or don't want you around, they will DEFINITELY let you know. If they like you and care about you, they will follow you anywhere - even race like the wind for you if you want. They'll push you around, act the clown, and cry along with you. If they happen to panic, they will try everything in their power not to hurt you.

LOVE them big dogs!

I'd take a ride on a horse ANY day over some stupid pill or shot of alcohol.

[lonegael]

My son is in therapeutic riding, but I think he just loves the ride. It does help his balance and gives him some skills in handling the horse, as well as giving him a hobby. He has developed the habit of licking his horse but the horse takes it pretty calmly
So sad to hear about that one famr, yoda. All the poor horses and their poor owner. Heartbreaking.

[KathyM]

I remember watching a little girl who had poor vision and no motor control whatsoever getting ready to get on a horse. She was so excited, EVERYTHING was flailing. It took two or more people to keep that little girl steady.

She continued to flail as they lifted her and placed her on the horse. As soon as her little butt touched that horse....it was GAME ON!

She sat up straight, became completely silent and became very serious. As calm and professional as she appeared, we ALL knew she was flailing WILDLY and screaming with JOY on the inside. Way to go, kid!!

It might not take them on the professional circuit, but it gives them something to look forward to.....knowing there's a friend out there who needs them just as much. Who could possibly live without a little love and friendship?

[Miracle1986]

I did theraputic riding when I was young.
I loved it.
Wish I never had stopped.

[Ascension]

Isn't a horse hair brush normally for your hair not your teeth? haha silly kids.

Originally Posted by lonegael

My son is in therapeutic riding, but I think he just loves the ride. It does help his balance and gives him some skills in handling the horse, as well as giving him a hobby. He has developed the habit of licking his horse but the horse takes it pretty calmly
So sad to hear about that one famr, yoda. All the poor horses and their poor owner. Heartbreaking.

[DfendrOfEmilysHeart]

I ride almost every Saturday except the first of every month which my instructer has off. It's great. I can walk, trot and canter and the other day I jumped for the first time in ages.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by KathyM

Horses kept ME sane (shut up Yoda!)

[VickiesPath]

Yoda, there's a really famous guy who does this for a living right here in Arizona and I have spent the past couple hours trying to find his name but am coming up blank. I'll keep looking and will get you the info. He's very successfull at it and very well known. I'll be back atchhya.

[lonegael]

[/QUOTE]Isn't a horse hair brush normally for your hair not your teeth? haha silly kids.
[QUOTE]
Well, he used to keep going behind the horse and stroking it's tail or butt Thank God these critters at the school are so placid. I swear, I was yelling "R., let go of the horse's butt!" twenty times a lesson, just saddling up and taking tack off. makes my kid sound like world's worst horse molester!
Actually, I think the eyes freaked him out for a while. People's eyes are bad enough, and suddenly he has to deal with a horse with REALLY BIG eyes.... shudder!

[Ascension]

I think that is one of the most fascinating and frustrating things about kids. Their innocence and curiosity. One minute you wish you were more like that and other times it makes you wanna wrap them in bubble wrap.

I have.

The most therapeutic was at a farm of my good friend and mentor who ran our youth in care group.

He raises Norweijan Fijords, and uses NO SADDLE OR EVEN A BRIDLE to gently break and train his horses. His method is to get in the stall with the baby shortly after birth - his mama horses trust him so implicitly he almost never has issue with being near baby. He will just sit there, for hours, talking to the horses. Letting the baby horse get curious about him, and letting it come to him. And the process continues on like that.

We had some wild bareback rides through the winter woods, never really fast just a trot, but the horses are so well made for that territory being Fijords. And so gentle and beautiful.

[Hippie]

Got on a horse once and it was a lo9oong way down. Am afraid of heights so got off. Did feel better when I touched the ground. Am a wimp.

[VickiesPath]

Originally Posted by Hippie

Got on a horse once and it was a lo9oong way down. Am afraid of heights so got off. Did feel better when I touched the ground. Am a wimp.

I used to have a girlfriend in Oklahoma and we decided to go riding one day (she lived on a ranch) and she decided to put me on her father-in-law's horse. I got up there and said, 'Getyup! Let's go! Get going!' Anything I could think of. He just stood there, like, "what did you say, fool?" He knew I had no earthly idea what I was doing and was not going to accommodate me. Debbie, my friend, talked to him and told him to behave but he was not going to go anywhere. Needless to say, we did not go riding that day.

[VickiesPath]

That's one of my all time favorite movies!