What is equine therapy?
Equine therapy originally started as a program that involved the use of horses in riding therapeutically for individuals with physical disabilities. The horseback riding experience provided the rider with a gentle rhythm similar to the human gait; this often helped improve muscle strength, flexibility and balance. It has also been found that individuals with mental or emotional disabilities can benefit from interactions with horses. The individual forms a relationship with the horse that can help build their confidence, patience, and self-esteem. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) was formed for the purpose to promote safe, professional, and therapeutic equine activities through education and research, for people with and without disabilities. Many of us are familiar with this association; we have seen it in the news and in printed articles. Through the success of their programs, there was a need to form a new addition to the association, the Equine Facil
