Therapeutic Horseback Riding - General Health Message Board

SherrySmith · 05-29-2002, 07:55 AM

My autistic daughter, now 19, went through many improvements through my persistence with special ed, countless hours with her one-on-one, etc. etc. However, her largest breakthrough occurred after she began horseback riding with a nonprofit agency for disabled children/adults. There are centers throughout the country and are very reasonably priced or free if you can't afford to pay. There is something magic about controlling a huge, powerful animal that elevates self-esteem to an all time high and I cannot describe how much my daughter has progressed since she started riding.

Hope this helps someone . . . .

siobhan · 05-29-2002, 10:25 AM

I've heard wonderful things about those programs!

I'm glad to hear that it works so well for your daughter!

Nicksmom · 05-29-2002, 12:53 PM

My son went to a therapy riding academy for a couple months and loved it. After the class ended I leased him a horse for a few months. I never expected him to actually learn to ride the horse himself (I just walked him around on a lead line) but he acted like he wanted to horse to go faster. The lady that I leased the horse from started giving him lessons and after a couple weeks, he was riding the horse alone in an area. At 4 years old, he actually learned to controll this 900 pound animal! I stronly believe that this is one of the best therapies.

sdcross37 · 05-29-2002, 08:37 PM

HI , WELL YOU MIGHT BE RIGHT. I PERSONALLY THINK HORSE BACK RIDING IS PROBABLY A WAY FOR YOUR DAUGHTER TO RELAX AND ENJOY RIDING A HORSE. WHICH PROBABLY MELLOWS HER OUT AND GIVES HER SOMETHING THAT WE ALL NEED, A BREAK. AS FOR MY SON, WHO IS 4, HIS BEST DAYS ARE WHEN HE GOES FISHING WITH THE GUYS. ITS AMAZING WHAT HE TELLS ME AND THE KINDS OF FISH HE CATCHES. IF A PERSON HAS A HARDER TIME WITH COMMUNICATION SKILLS, THEY MUST NEED AN OUTLET RIGHT? WE ALL DO, TO LET GO OF STRESS AND WORRIES FOR ALITTLE WHILE. TO ALL PARENTS, FIND SOMETHING YOUR CHILD REALLY ENJOYS AND MAKE IT A THING TO DO. ITS REALLY AMAZING WHEN YOU FIND SOMETHING THEY LIKE, EVEN IF ITS DIFFERENT THAN MOST KIDS, HOW MUCH MORE FOCUSED AND ATTENTIVE THEY ARE, IT ALTERS MINE CHILDS MOOD FOR THE DAY. THANK GOD OUR FAMILY IS A BUNCH OF FISHING FOOLS. IT REALLY HELPS MY SON AND HE LOVES IT, AND YES HE PICKS UP VERY WELL USUALLY AFTER A DAY OF FISHING, LEARNING NEW THINGS EVERYDAY. GOD BLESS