Horse therapy?

[Mary FL]

Has any of you used horseback riding lessons as part of therapy? We could arrange lessons for ds. He has been to horse camp in the summer and enjoys it.

[CINDY LB OH]

When I was in college, I volunteered for a "horseback riding for the handicapped" program. I loved it! We helped children from the school for the blind.

The benefits of this type of program are wonderful.

[Robin in Colorado]

Mary, are you considering riding lessons or riding therapy?

It's amazing what riding a horse can do for the body, and the mind that lives in the body.

My dear friend's little daughter has riding therapy, which is so much more than just learning to ride.

Learning to ride and being on horseback regularly certainly couldn't hurt, imho, but if you could find a riding therapy center that would be wonderful.

[Mary FL]

The horse lessons are in our neighborhood. It's not therapy, per se. Just regular horseback riding lessons, horse care, and so on, that maybe ds would like to have as his own activity, KWIM? Dd takes ballet. I just remember the doctor saying he should have something of his own---perhaps a pet of his own. We have a family dog and cat. I know horses are generally wonderful, intelligent animals that seem to see inside one's soul.

[Robin in Colorado]

Go for it; it sounds like a great opportunity.

[TonyaP]

My ADHD (and other) son is very soothed by interaction with animals. Unfortunately he also has severe allergies to anything with fur. He has a bunny at grandma's hosue that he can sit near and guide with his hands as it hops, just not hold. We take the allergy risk because it is so special for him to have that little "friend."

I agree, having a pet or interaction of some sort is beneficial. I would consider the riding lessons if he is able to do so without acting impulsively or angrily in a way that would startle the animal. (Not sure where your DS is on that spectrum.)

[Tiffany]

I just sent in the paperwork yesterday for my ds 6 to start therapeutic riding lessons. I am hoping this will be "his" thing as well, and will be a calming thing for him (he has a lot of anxiety) as well as build his confidence.

[AmyinWI]

there are several therapeutic horse places around here. I have never taken my kids to any .. but my friend owns horses and will ride with my 4yo son every now and then (he has ds and autism) and he is extremely calm when on a horse, it's just like magic! My son is normally very, very active and doesn't sit for more than a minute at a time!!

[Mary FL]

I'm bringing back this old thread to see if anyone else has participated in a program since my first post. Can you believe it's been two years???

[Mary FL]

And now it's four years later...any new experiences w equine assisted related therapies?