How to Prepare for Horse Riding Therapy for Special Needs Kids?

Given the effectiveness and popularity of equine-assisted therapy programs, centers for horse riding therapy for special needs are popping up across the country.

Kids and adults with any physical or mental disability find it hard to form a social connection with others. They experience fear and constant vulnerability that further affects their psychological well-being.

Equine-assisted therapies for physically disabled kids and adults bring together mighty horses and special-needs people to help them defeat their fears and overcome their shortcomings. Equine-assisted therapies play a very crucial role in building self-esteem in people with disabilities. It also works in boosting the confidence of the patients.

A significant part of the EATs like therapeutic riding for veterans involves handling the giant 6000-pound animal. By learning how to control the mighty animal, such patients get motivated to overcome their condition and move ahead in life with confidence.

Besides learning how to control the horse, the horse riding program also focuses on life skills. Throughout the therapy, a significant time of the session is spent learning how to mount the horse, balance on it, and stay upright. The entire activity helps the client strengthen their core muscles and stretch.

Further, the rhythmic movement of the horse helps the person feel relaxed. It prepares the body for better balance and coordination.

When choosing a horseback riding program, make sure you feel safe and comfortable around the horse as the trainer.

Before enrolling for any riding program, find out as much as you can about horseback riding program.

You must buy a protective helmet and gears to protect you from the injuries while riding.

Be attentive toward what the horse handler has to tell you about getting on and off the horse.

If you are not comfortable riding the horse on your own, ask the handler to assist you along the ride.

Since most therapy horses are trained to attend to the riders’ needs, they will take care of you.

To ensure you have comfortable riding experience, check out the facility in person. Inquire about the horses and how kind they are.

Don’t forget to inspect the safety measures they have in place. Find out what steps they have taken to minimize the cases of accidents. Also, enquire about the actions they take in case of a serious mishap.

It’s natural for a child to feel afraid of the horses at first. However, you must not force them into doing anything that they are not confident about. To help them overcome their fear of horses, take them to the facility regularly. Encourage them to touch and pat the horses. In time, your child will ease up to the horse and would be ready to ride.

Dressing correctly and appropriately is key to safe riding. Wear comfortable pants and hard boots. Ensure that the helmet is fastened correctly.

With these simple rules in mind, your child’s horse riding experience will turn wonderful.