Equine Psychotherapy: The Talent Horses Have with Helping People with Emotional and Physical Problems

The New York Times has an article called Horse Therapy for the Troubled. It tells a story of a group of students from the Garfield Park Academy that have learning and emotional problems and how they attend the Reindancer Therapeutic Riding Center. It explains there first experiences with the horses and how the program is structured as well as the purpose. It includes insight from research and how equine therapy originated. Some researchers feel there needs to be more insight into how well equine therapy works while others feel it is very helpful.

The Reindancer Therapeutic Riding Center is located in New Ggypt, New Jersey. The supply different programs, such as, horseback riding, equine assisted psychotherapy, lessons for those that are capable, and horses for heroes. Horses for heroes is a program for military veterans that help them with any emotional of physical problems due to the military.

They are primarily funded by fundraising, grants, public funding, and donations.

Horses and the Handicapped of South Florida, Inc. is located in Coconut Creek, Florida. They are a non-profit organization and help children and adults with physical and emotional problems. This organization believes horses can help improve all five senses of children and adults with these problems as well as social skills. Their programs include therapeutic riding with certified instructors, interactive vaulting, and stable management. To read more about this organization go to their website.

This video will explain more about the organization and what they do.

Join their blog and get involved.

Characteristics that make a good therapy horse:
- Being familiar with wheelchairs, crutches, and other equipment.
- Calm in all weather situations.
- Has been handled by many different people and is comfortable with human contact.
- Not afraid of unsteady movements.