Straight From The Horse’s Mouth

by Karen Schachter, LICSW, CHC

Who knew how much a horse could teach a person? As a long-time dog owner and animal lover, I was always aware of the powerful healing potential animals can have. I always knew instinctively – and now I know it to be true based on my knowledge of the brain – that mammals have an ability to feel, connect with and care for others.

What I didn’t realize was how much a horse could teach me about myself – and in such a short time!

After spending half a day today at Riding Far Farm with my friend and colleague, Paul Haefner and his partner, Elizabeth Siegert, I am awed by the incredible capacity a horse has to reflect back to me my own “stuff” – fears, limiting beliefs, ways of relating to others, and strengths. Horses are incredibly intuitive and therefore provide a non-judgmental mirror; and in that mirror, I was able to see patterns (some effective and some not so effective) that I use in my life.

In the first “exercise” (all of the exercises are done on the ground; no riding involved), we were instructed to introduce ourselves to each of the three horses in the ring. The first one was easy – I stretched my hand forward, used my high-pitched “it’s okay sweetie” voice and let the horse come to me. We bonded. The second horse was pretty much the same thing. (Paul wondered if this is how I usually get people to respond to me – sweetly rather than more assertively…hmmm, good question).

But the third – ah, not so easy. I saw that big horse with one missing eye who showed no interest whatsoever in me, who kept eating his grass when I used my tried-and-true techniques, and I was stuck. I felt the fear (“he’s dangerous”) rise up in me and after a minute or two of “trying,” I backed off.

In the second exercise, we were asked to work as a team to put a harness around one of the horses. As the “leader” of my team, I, curiously, chose the “dangerous” horse. And each time we approached, he walked away, over to another patch of grass to continue his lunch. Again and again and again. I wanted to give up. (Same thing as earlier – who wants to be rejected over and over??!). I was “sure” that this horse would NEVER allow us to harness him. And, I feared, if we kept trying, he would certainly attack us.

Luckily, I recognized this fear as irrational. I recognized a pattern in myself of wanting to “give up” when the going gets too tough; when I am faced with something I decide is “too scary”; or when I’m afraid I’ll fail (or be rejected somehow). Having that awareness allowed me to say to my team, “let’s approach him with confidence. No more beating around the bush; no more giving him the message that we’re ambivalent and unsure of ourselves. Let’s let him know we mean business here!”

And guess what? On that turn, the horse responded. He let us put the harness on him and he even stood there for a while with us once it was on.

A huge lesson for me: My reaction to this horse represented some of my own reactions in life. When faced with opportunities or goals, it’s so important that I get clear about what I want and act with intention and purpose. When my thoughts and actions are in alignment, I am much more likely to achieve my goals and move toward my dreams.

So often, many of us go about life not acting in “alignment.” We may say we “really” want something (to lose weight, have a more fulfilling career, or spend more quality time with our kids), yet we don’t act with intention and with purpose. We don’t commit to it and we don’t go for it full-on. We go for it in a wishy-washy, maybe ‘this-will-happen-if-I’m-lucky sort of way. Our actions don’t reflect what we say we want. Our minds – with our fears, our ambivalence or our mental blocks – “trick” us into thinking that we can’t do it, or stop us from going for it for some reason.

I’m so grateful to this beautiful, one-eyed horse for teaching me – not just in my cognitive awareness but with a “body” experience – such an important lesson that will continue to instruct me as I move forward toward my hopes and dreams.

Karen Schachter, a psychotherapist and coach, is committed to helping girls and women find peace, nourishment and wellbeing with food and their bodies. To receive her FREE AUDIO CLASS on DISHING WITH YOUR DAUGHTER: 5 Ways to Nourish Her Self-Esteem and Help Her Feed Her Body and Her Soul with Delicious Self-Care go tohttp://www.healthybodieshappyminds.com

Contact the Author
Karen Schachter, LICSW, CHC
Health and Fitness
articles@karenschachtermsw.com

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Author: pinks.dec2008

The cultural hub of South Africa’s Western Province, Cape Town offers the visitor an increasingly broad variety of exciting accommodation and activity choices. Sightseeing, safaris, ethnic experiences and much, much more await the keen traveler in the Mother City. Those who enjoy outdoor activities are in for a treat – Cape Town is situated in the midst of the Cape Floral Kingdom, a habitat so rare that it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in order to better protect it. A beautifully fragile ecosystem consisting mainly of Fibs, a type of flora peculiar to this region, it has been identified as one of the world’s 18 biodiversity hotspots.

A variety of Cape Town tours and outdoor activity providers operate from this breathtaking setting and in recent years, for more details visit to www.divorce-rebuild-your-life.com horse riding has become an especially favored pastime of both locals and visitors alike. There is nothing like a relaxing stroll along the beach or a bracing cross-country outride to do away with the stress and cobwebs of daily life.

Horse riding has been proven to have a host of health benefits that range from cardiovascular fitness to muscle conditioning and improved balance. Add to this the simple pleasure of having the wind in your hair and the majestic feeling of establishing a connection with an animal much larger than yourself and you get an outdoor activity that is as healthy as it is fun.

Horse riding is also recognized as having outstanding therapeutic qualities. There are references to the benefits of therapeutic riding as far back as 600 BC, when Socrates wrote of the “riding’s healing rhythm” for both mental and physical improvement. Horses were also used in the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers after World War II.

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Hippo therapy are two types of psycho-physical treatment that make use of horse riding as part of rehabilitation regimens. Both are guided by a medical model but differ slightly in the way they are implemented.

In Equine Assisted Psychotherapy a certified medical professional utilizes the unique qualities of horseback riding in various ways for therapeutic benefit; whereas Hippo therapy (a name derived from the Greek word for horse, ‘hippo’) involves a certified therapist using the horse itself, as well as the relationship between the patient and the animal, as a therapeutic tool.

In both instances patients afflicted by conditions as diverse as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, for more details visit to www.100computertips.com Down syndrome and Multiple Sclerosis stand to benefit from riding therapy in a number of ways. The most easily recognizable benefits are physical. An extremely physical activity, horse riding can improve balance, joint movement and muscle tones in children and adults with physical disabilities and special needs. Furthermore, the complex nature of the sport and the multi-sensory tasks it involves provide cognitive and mental stimulation.

On an emotional level, bonding with an animal is beneficial for people with social and psychological disabilities. Riding indicates a direct connection between action and reaction and can go a long way in explaining the concept of cause and effect. Effective communication, trust and loyalty are further positive lessons to be learnt in the process of riding.

No matter which way you choose to look at it, horse riding is a very healthy leisure pursuit. So next time you visit Cape Town and are looking for things to do, why not arrange for a pleasant outing with an establishment that facilitates riding lessons and activities? You only stand to benefit and you’ll get to experience the Mother City from a whole different angle.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/cricket-articles/horse-riding-is-also-recognized-as-having-outstanding-therapeutic-qualities-676601.html

About the Author: www.activities-little-fingers.com www.buy-a-car-with-no-credit.com

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Therapeutic Horseback Riding-Relief From A Disability

Author: David Lathan

Beyond the sway of the physical, horseback riding empowers the mind with a relaxation and stirring at the same time. The valuable relationship connecting horse and rider has been known for a very long time.Both the mental and physical realms of handicapped individuals are engaged with therapeutic horseback riding. This type of horseback riding engages both the mental and physical realms of handicapped individuals to equally form a sense of tranquillity and stimulate nerves, muscles and neurons in the brain in a very unique way.

Who Profits from Therapeutic Horseback Riding? People with any disability can benefit from any riding discipline. The most frequently employed technique of therapeutic riding lessons is western but English saddles are being used more and more for their more personal connection between rider and horse.

A few of the most general disabilities where therapeutic horseback riding is encouraged are:

Adults and Children with Learning Disabilities: Lacking the pressure to achieve mental abilities are sharpened and quite regularly awakened in individuals with learning difficulties with this therapy. Just the riding and even ground communication with horses engages the mind and creates a unique and distinctive environment for mental stimulation.

Autism Spectrum Disorders: Communication between animal and human has established a truly important asset in bringing autistic children and adults out of their inner selves and given them a motive to communicate that regularly translates into other areas of their lives.

Those with ADHD: The soothing motion of therapeutic horseback riding and the concentration on balance and communication makes a great combination for calming adults and children with ADHD and teaching them in an enjoyable way to direct their dynamic nature into the moment at hand.

Persons Tormented with Depression: It is difficult to stay depressed while on the back of a horse. The old saying goes “‘there is nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse” riding brings a smile to the darkest countenance and enlivens the spirit of the most drained soul.

Apparel For These Riding Sessions     Relaxed clothing is the best apparel for any rider and handicapped riders even more so. Maintanining a peaceful and comfortable environment begins with loose fitting clothing that allows for movement without restraint and yet is secure enough to not be caught up in gear. Hard shoes are a must for anyone when moving around horses; they guard the feet from accidental missteps by the animal on the ground and provide a solid platform in the stirrups. A hard custom-fit hard hat made particularly for riding is necessary for any rider in order to safeguard them in a fall as well.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/equestrian-articles/therapeutic-horseback-ridingrelief-from-a-disability-1152076.html

About the Author: Equestrian Blog

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Horseback riding in children with cerebral palsy: effect on gross motor function

The effects of recreational horseback riding therapy (HBRT) on gross motor function in children with cerebral palsy (CP: spastic diplegia, spastic quadriplegia, and spastic hemiplegia) were determined in a blinded study using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). Seventeen participants (nine females, eight males; mean age 9 years 10 months, SE 10 months) served as their own control. Their mean Gross Motor Function Classification System score was 2.7 (SD 0.4; range 1 to 5). HBRT was 1 hour per week for three riding sessions of 6 weeks per session (18 weeks). GMFM was determined every 6 weeks: pre-riding control period, onset of HBRT, every 6 weeks during HBRT for 18 weeks, and 6 weeks following HBRT. GMFM did not change during pre-riding control period. GMFM Total Score (Dimensions A–E) increased 7.6% (p<0.04) after 18 weeks, returning to control level 6 weeks following HBRT. GMFM Dimension E (Walking, Running, and Jumping) increased 8.7% after 12 weeks (p<0.02), 8.5% after 18 weeks (p<0.03), and remained elevated at 1.8% 6 weeks following HBRT (p<0.03). This suggests that HBRT may improve gross motor function in children with CP, which may reduce the degree of motor disability. Larger studies are needed to investigate this further, especially in children with more severe disabilities. Horseback riding should be considered for sports therapy in children with CP.

John A Sterba, Brian T Rogers, Amy P France and Deborah A Vokes (2002). Horseback riding in children with cerebral palsy: effect on gross motor function. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 44 , pp 301-308
doi:10.1017/S0012162201002122

(Accepted November 14 2001)

Correspondence:
Center for Sports Therapy Research, Inc., 226 Center Road, East Aurora, NY 14052-2233, USA. E-mail: sportstherapy@earthlink.net

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The New Role of Horse Therapy for Autistic Children

Parents of autistic children have had many therapies and medications tossed their way, with hopes of reaching their children on a whole new level. Many parents are now looking after the potential of alternative methods for their children’s condition despite all the promises of many therapies and medications. Even though the autistic aware community has become increasingly focused on horse therapy, this is still considered a new but promising therapy model for children with all type of disabilities especially autism.

Horses are of course majestic animals that carry with them a fabulous tale of potential, wonder, and amazing feats. However, their new role as a therapy model for autistic children has come under great scrutiny from some more clinically disposed experts.

Most physicians, psychiatrists, and other experts believe that horse therapy only introduce an additional stimulus into the mix. There are others who believe that horse therapy holds great potential for those well trained and great potential for failure for those who believe they can just stick an autistic child and a horse in the same area and wait for a miracle.

The Horse Communicator

There have been movies made and books written about the possibilities horse therapies present. In fact, some of the great myths and legends of Native American origin include horses that can ultimately reach the unreachable, guide the blind and grace the deaf. These myths and legends make fantastic movie material, but those with disabled children live in the real world. Is it possible that a horse can help bring a child to a new level of communication? Of course it is. Those who have experienced success state rather emphatically that the therapy is not for all autistic children or all horses. Just like people, dogs, and cats, some horses have a higher degree of sensitivity. Some autistic children are looking to be reached while others are not. The right child paired with the right horse is the magic combination, according to those who have successfully helped autistic children communicate and reach out through horses.

Hopes, Dreams, and Realism

Many therapies that come along in hopes of helping autistic and otherwise disabled children, all of which are heavily publicized and turned into the media spectacle of new hope and promise. Those who have received proper training and have participated in case studies want parents to completely understand that horses are incredibly sensitive and can possibly stimulate a child’s communication skills; thus because of this horse therapy has intentionally stayed as far from the media spotlight. Horses, just like all other experimental therapies and treatments, have successfully reached many children in ways that their parents and other clinical experts have not been able to. However, not every disabled child will look toward a horse just as not every disabled child will respond the same way toward medication and other therapies.

Not Just Any Trainer

The neighbor down the road who owns a horse or that farm that you pass on the way to the beach that has horses running around is not likely to be the place to introduce a disabled child to the horse. Horses that have proven to work effectively with disabled children have undergone some amount of training to help make them less intimidating. The trainers have gone through extensive training in order to understand how previously successful sessions have worked. Parents should be strongly cautioned against anyone making significant claims, advertising the services of their horse, or anyone offering to treat the child that offers up no credible form of proof of education and certification. People will prey on the desperate, and horse therapy is no different. The right trainer and the right horse are strictly required in order to involve a disabled child in horse therapy.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

HorseManShip Lessons for Children

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