Equine Therapy
Equine Therapy locations in Southeastern Wisconsin can be found listed below.
Check out CNN's article on "Harnessing horses to conquer mental illness"
Check out CNN's article on "Harnessing horses to conquer mental illness"
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Unique Role of Horses
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History
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What is EAT
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This list includes characteristics of horses that make them unique for therapy.
Non-judgmental and unbiased: Horses react only to the patient’s behavior and emotions and are not biased by the patient’s physical appearance or past mistakes. Patients describe this as being crucial to the therapy and aids in increase of self-esteem and self-confidence.
Feedback and mirroring: Their nature as a prey and herd animal makes them hyper vigilant and sensitive, thus making them keen observers. This means that their feedback is provided earlier and more consistently than with a human therapist. The horse has an innate tendency to mirror the patient’s behavior, physical movements and emotions, which help the participant be more aware of him or herself. It allows patients to “feel felt”. This feedback can then be translated by the equine specialist and analyzed by the group.
Metaphor for real life: The ability of a therapist to use the horse as a metaphor for other issues helps make the equine treatment applicable to real life problems. An example of how a therapist can help the patient work out issues in their own lives through the use of the horse as a metaphor: “One child was having great difficulty discussing how they were feeling about an upcoming move to another state. She was, however, able to offer many suggestions for how to help a horse that was being sold feel more comfortable in his new environment”. Using the horse as a metaphor for his own move, the child better understood and could cope with her own move.
Non-judgmental and unbiased: Horses react only to the patient’s behavior and emotions and are not biased by the patient’s physical appearance or past mistakes. Patients describe this as being crucial to the therapy and aids in increase of self-esteem and self-confidence.
Feedback and mirroring: Their nature as a prey and herd animal makes them hyper vigilant and sensitive, thus making them keen observers. This means that their feedback is provided earlier and more consistently than with a human therapist. The horse has an innate tendency to mirror the patient’s behavior, physical movements and emotions, which help the participant be more aware of him or herself. It allows patients to “feel felt”. This feedback can then be translated by the equine specialist and analyzed by the group.
Metaphor for real life: The ability of a therapist to use the horse as a metaphor for other issues helps make the equine treatment applicable to real life problems. An example of how a therapist can help the patient work out issues in their own lives through the use of the horse as a metaphor: “One child was having great difficulty discussing how they were feeling about an upcoming move to another state. She was, however, able to offer many suggestions for how to help a horse that was being sold feel more comfortable in his new environment”. Using the horse as a metaphor for his own move, the child better understood and could cope with her own move.
Equine therapy dates back to the times when horses were used for therapeutic riding in ancient Greek literature. Orbasis of ancient Lydia documented the therapeutic value of riding in 600 B.C. In 1946, Equine Therapy was introduced in Scandinavia after an outbreak of poliomyelitis.
Therapeutic Riding was introduced to the United States and Canada in 1960 with the formation of the Community Association of Riding of the Disabled (CARD). In the United States riding for the disabled developed as a form of recreation and as a means of motivation for education, as well as its therapeutic benefits.
Animals such as elephants, dolphins, dogs, and cats have also been used for therapeutic purposes. Horses become the most popular animal to use in animal therapy because they give immediate feedback to the handler or rider’s actions. Horses also have the ability to mirror the feelings of the handler or rider. Horses’ large and intimidating appearance forces and individual to gain trust around them.
Therapeutic Riding was introduced to the United States and Canada in 1960 with the formation of the Community Association of Riding of the Disabled (CARD). In the United States riding for the disabled developed as a form of recreation and as a means of motivation for education, as well as its therapeutic benefits.
Animals such as elephants, dolphins, dogs, and cats have also been used for therapeutic purposes. Horses become the most popular animal to use in animal therapy because they give immediate feedback to the handler or rider’s actions. Horses also have the ability to mirror the feelings of the handler or rider. Horses’ large and intimidating appearance forces and individual to gain trust around them.
Equine therapy, also known as Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAT), is a treatment that includes equine activities and/or an equine environment in order to promote physical, occupational, and emotional growth in persons suffering from ADD, Anxiety, Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Dementia, Depression, Developmental Delay, Genetic Syndromes (such as Down Syndrome), traumatic brain injuries, behavioral issues, abuse issues, and many other mental health problems. Equine
Therapy can help the individual build confidence, self- efficiency, communication, trust, perspective, social skills, impulse control, and learn boundaries. Since the horses have similar behaviors with humans, such as social and responsive behaviors, it is easy for the patients to create a connection with the horse. Riders with disabilities demonstrate their remarkable accomplishments in national and international sport riding competitions. Equine-Assisted Therapies have been recognized in the medical and mental health field by most major countries.
Therapy can help the individual build confidence, self- efficiency, communication, trust, perspective, social skills, impulse control, and learn boundaries. Since the horses have similar behaviors with humans, such as social and responsive behaviors, it is easy for the patients to create a connection with the horse. Riders with disabilities demonstrate their remarkable accomplishments in national and international sport riding competitions. Equine-Assisted Therapies have been recognized in the medical and mental health field by most major countries.
New Point of View Equine
https://newpovequine.com
Provides unique growth and learning opportunities for for individuals/families dealing with communication challenges and mental health issues to develop efficient methods of corresponding and coping.
Areas of focus include trauma, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, coping skills, and self awareness. All services provided involve using horses (no riding involved) as we believe our clients have their own solutions and horses bring them to light.
Location
The Diettrich Farm Horse
2903 264th Ave, Salem, WI 53168
https://newpovequine.com
Provides unique growth and learning opportunities for for individuals/families dealing with communication challenges and mental health issues to develop efficient methods of corresponding and coping.
Areas of focus include trauma, depression, post traumatic stress disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, coping skills, and self awareness. All services provided involve using horses (no riding involved) as we believe our clients have their own solutions and horses bring them to light.
Location
The Diettrich Farm Horse
2903 264th Ave, Salem, WI 53168
Stepping Stone Farms School of Horsemanship
www.steppingstonefarms.org
Stepping Stone Farms is a non-profit horse rescue and therapeutic facility in Franksville that serves the needs of people in the South East Wisconsin area. In our Equine Assisted Therapy programs, people experience physical and emotional healing through riding and interacting with the horses, which can improve his or her self-esteem, relationship skills and quality of life. Stepping Stone Farms has been a shining forerunner in the Southeastern Wisconsin horse community since 2004.
Stepping Stone Farms School of Horsemanship offers programming for children & adults with mental health issues, physical disabilities, and learning/cognitive problems. We also offer our services to Veterans and their families.
Location
1439 92nd Street Franksville, WI 53126
www.steppingstonefarms.org
Stepping Stone Farms is a non-profit horse rescue and therapeutic facility in Franksville that serves the needs of people in the South East Wisconsin area. In our Equine Assisted Therapy programs, people experience physical and emotional healing through riding and interacting with the horses, which can improve his or her self-esteem, relationship skills and quality of life. Stepping Stone Farms has been a shining forerunner in the Southeastern Wisconsin horse community since 2004.
Stepping Stone Farms School of Horsemanship offers programming for children & adults with mental health issues, physical disabilities, and learning/cognitive problems. We also offer our services to Veterans and their families.
Location
1439 92nd Street Franksville, WI 53126
LifeStriders Therapeutic Riding Program
www.lifestriders.org/home.html
Incorporates elements of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and other modalities in order to address the needs of each client. These fun and interactive sessions focus on clients’ unique strengths in order to help them meet their individual challenges.
Location
S11 W29667 Summit Avenue (US HWY 18), Waukesha, WI 53188
Office: 262.565.6124
Fax: 866.404.3105
www.lifestriders.org/home.html
Incorporates elements of Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and other modalities in order to address the needs of each client. These fun and interactive sessions focus on clients’ unique strengths in order to help them meet their individual challenges.
Location
S11 W29667 Summit Avenue (US HWY 18), Waukesha, WI 53188
Office: 262.565.6124
Fax: 866.404.3105
