Why Therapeutic Riding?
“Whether it’s a five-year-old with Down’s syndrome, a 45-year-old recovering from a spinal cord injury, a senior citizen recovering from a stroke or a teenager struggling with depression, research shows that individuals of all ages who participate in EAAT can experience physical and emotional rewards.
For individuals with emotional challenges, the unique relationship formed with the horse can lead to increased confidence, patience and self-esteem.
For teams in the corporate workplace and any individual seeking better leadership, team building or communication skills, working with horses provides a powerful new paradigm.”
— Kaye Marks, PATH International
The SWLA Balloon Festival is more than just a great time, attending the festival helps provide more success stories like this one. Meet Sarah and her son, Luke, watch the video to see how far Luke has come with the horse therapy that Reins of Hope at LeBocage Stables provides. Proceeds from the SWLA Hot Air Balloon Festival will be given to their program, so they can keep doing their amazing work.
Posted by Southwest Louisiana Hot Air Balloon and Kite Festival on Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Hear from our Parents
Perhaps the most widely recognised type of EAAT, and with an impressively long history. Some of the earliest written evidence on equine-assisted physical therapy came from Hippocrates, who touted the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding around 400 BC
For patients with neurodevelopmental or developmental disorders, therapeutic riding can be incredibly useful as it helps to stimulate the neural pathways. It takes concentration to remain balanced on horseback, and the natural reflex of trying to stay balanced doesn’t only help with muscle development. Also, the level of concentration required boosts brain activity.
The benefits of being around horses are not in riding them alone; in fact, research has shown that caring for and handling horses can also offer a great benefit to our mental health. A study published in 2007 by Pamela Schults, Ann Remick-Barlow, and Leslie Robbins concluded that equine-assisted psychotherapy effectively improved the GAF — Global Assessment of Functioning — scores of their test group of children who had been diagnosed with mental health issues.
Just as being around and handling horses can offer incredible benefits to those dealing with physical and mental health issues. Many of us experience some level of stress or anxiety in our work or life, but being around horses has been proven to reduce our stress levels.
For individuals with emotional challenges, the unique relationship formed with the horse can lead to increased confidence, patience and self-esteem.
For teams in the corporate workplace and any individual seeking better leadership, team building or communication skills, working with horses provides a powerful new paradigm.”