What is therapeutic riding?
Although the primary aim of any RDA Group is to teach functional riding skills, these skills are transferable into rehabilitation and training in aspects of daily living. They can also be used as a means to achieve specific personal goals.
Riding provides a gentle rhythmical and symmetrical exercise in a healthy outdoor atmosphere and is an exciting, challenging and rewarding activity. The therapeutic use of the horse involves a team approach amongst the medical and educational professionals, the riding instructors and volunteers, and the client. All are united by the horse, which becomes the single motivating factor.
Equestrian activities can be used as a form of therapy to assist development in physical, psychological, cognitive, perceptual and behavioural areas.
Therapeutic riding can be classified into three primary fields:
Physical/physiological
Educational/remedial
Sport and recreation
An individual programme may utilise an integration of all three areas, however, each can be practised as a specialty. A programme can involve:
Learning adaptable riding skills, aimed towards independent functioning, riding and horse control (this includes involving the rider in all aspects of horse care and stable management)
Using the horse and its action as a 'tool' to influence the rider's body movements rather than the rider controlling the horse. This involves techniques such as 'hippotherapy' and 'rhythmic facilitation'. The rider may be positioned in various ways on the horse to gain maximum movement, that is, sitting forward (classical), backwards, lying across or prone (face down) or lying supine (face up) along the horse.
The trained therapy horse is a strong, warm, flexible, responsive and undemanding animal. Its action is three dimensional, with movement up and down, forwards and backwards, and side to side, and corresponds to the physiology of the human walk and its course and rhythm. While riding, the adjustment of these rhythms alternately activates and relaxes the muscles of the trunk, pelvis, lumbar, spine and hips.
Other benefits include:
Improved balance and equilibrium reactions.
Improved muscle strength, tone and efficiency.
Increased respiration and circulation.
Improved hand/eye co-ordination.
Improved observation and concentration skills.
Improved sensory integration including improved perception, body and spatial awareness and symmetry.
Opportunities for relaxation and stretching.
Improved sitting balance and head control.
Increased self esteem through achievement and greater confidence.
Improved academic achievement through reinforced learning of letters, numbers, colours, knowledge, distances, etc.
Rural and road safety skills.
Improved social skills through communication and learning appropriate behaviour, while interacting with peers and working in a group.
Human/animal contact and bonding, building relationships and harmony with, and consideration for, others through care of the horse.
Opportunities for sport and recreation through development of riding skills and horse management.
Greater challenge and success through healthy competition with self and others.
Increased mobility to otherwise inaccessible areas, stimulation or relaxation, and community participation.
Enjoyment of, and motivation to pursue, a worthwhile hobby or interest.
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