RemiNEIGHcin’ 4: Horse as Healer at CKRH
Breeding, riding, racing horses – these are typical activities that happen in Kentucky. But there is a new way horses are improving lives in and around Kentucky – equine therapy. Today we’ll listen to what people are saying about this type of therapy conducted at Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH).
But first let’s get to know this form of therapy…
What is equine therapy?
Info from equine-psychotherapy
Equine therapy is the discipline of using horses as a means to provide metaphoric experiences in order to promote emotional growth. The horses provide an excellent way for troubled youth to react when they are otherwise therapy resistant. Equine therapists will usually teach many lessons on ways in which horses learn, react, and follow instructions to the lives of youth themselves.
Equine therapy should always be performed by a certified Equine-Assisted therapist. Many associations exists in order to provide certification or training in equine therapy. It has shown to be very effective with patients who manifest depression, attention-deficit, conduct disorders, dissociative disorders, anxiety, dementia, autism, and many other related disorders.
At CKRH: therapist and staff assist a child client
View other photos on CKRH
The Horse as Healer
at Central Kentucky Riding for Hope
Central Kentucky Riding for Hope (CKRH)
CKRH is dedicated to enriching the community by improving the quality of life and the health of children and adults with special physical, cognitive, emotional and social needs through therapeutic activities with the horse.
It is a wondrous thing to watch the kids come in. As sometimes a child may start out not being able to sit up on the horse. The next thing you know, you see them walking around , or running to get on their horse. When the kids don’t achieve these developments or milestones when they’re really young, it’s wonderful for them to have something that can help loose them along. It’s so much more than pony rides for children with disabilities.
-Pat Kline, CKRH Exec Director
Before they (the clients) ever come out here, we do evaluations at Cardinal Hill. So as a physical therapist, I’m looking at – depending on the client. How their balance is, what is their strength like, what’s the range of emotion.
We look at the strength areas and areas that we need to address. And create goals with the clients and the client’s family, Address these goals here, just like at the hospital..
-Lisa Harris, Physical therapist
I had a little bit of an anger thing. But when I came here, the horses really calmed me. Horses teach me how to calm down, get to become happier in life, just calmer. It is therapeutic for me.
-Hunter Fields, student
This program has meant so much to us as a family. It’s not your traditional therapy. It’s different. It’s so enjoyable to him and us as a family….The horses here – I can see the connection with the children. They just know these children, they know they need them… and they’re helping them.
– Parent of a young client at CKRH
At CKRH: Therapist and Staff help out a client on a wheelchair mount a horse.
View other photos on CKRH
All information on CKRH from this video:
“Central Kentucky Riding for Hope”
Learn more about equine therapy:
“The Horse as Healer”: Riding and Hippotherapy Bring Dramatic Results
Learn more about CKRH
Partial List of Equine Therapy Centers in Kentucky
Read about the history and benefits of Equestrain/Equine/Hippotherapy
Horses for Heroes
So do… learn more about the good that animals are doing to enhance the lives of humans. If yours or your child’s therapy isn’t quite working, perhaps you should consider equine therapy.
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