Therapeutic Horsemanship

Therapeutic horsemanship benefits a wide range of adults and children, including those with behavioural challenges, mental health problems and learning difficulties. It helps to improve mental and physical wellbeing and social skills. It is also beneficial for anyone looking for a new way to improve confidence and self-awareness, or for a relaxing break from routine. At Horses for Causes the focus is on building a trusting partnership between horse and human. It’s not all about riding, although some clients may ride as part of their activities. Clients are eager to understand how they think, what they eat and how they are looked after.

Horses like humans are very sociable mammals and have very defined roles within their herd, (what we would describe as our family or social group). They have their own individual and very distinct character. As prey animals they are alert to danger, so that when anything is uncomfortable, unsafe or incongruent, horses will react and are alert as this may mean that there is something unsafe in their environment. This alertness makes them astute observers of new situations and challenges.

Horses are large and powerful. To many people they are very intimidating. Accomplishing a task with a horse creates confidence and watching their behaviour provides wonderful metaphors when dealing with other intimidating and challenging situations in life. Our horses are gentle, honest and nonjudgmental, they help to break down barriers. Working and gaining confidence with them inspires and encourages more balanced feelings and calmness in all of us.

All the horses at Horses for Causes have been chosen to work in the team, because of their long term socialisation with humans. Whilst personalities differ from horse to horse, clients can clearly see and note differing character traits and can relate them to the behaviour of their peers, family members, (spouses and partners etc.), or how their addictions, fears, or dreams play out in their lives. This hands-on learning approach is particularly effective and is being used more frequently. Being in an open, natural surrounding filled with fresh air, young people often forget that they are undergoing a therapy a such.