What are the real benefits?
Posted by Liz Shelley on Mon, Sep 07, 2009 @ 09:06 PM
First-here is a link to the real benefits.
(See the http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/ for more information. Links for evidence based practice are available under \"Research\".)
How I see the benefits:
Robert is a pre-teen. Autistic with no true verbal communication. I am told when he first came to the farm he was incredibly unruly, a bit of a wild child and a real challenge. (screaming at full speed across the paddock with a Tasmanian Devil-like demeanor.)
Fast forward several years, and he is settled into a working routine with his instructor who is working on words and commands with him. I don't know Robert but for our 30 minutes weekly as I lead his horse, or walk by his side, trying to insure his safe passage. I only observe and at times assist with being a target for "hellos".
His instructor is amazing. As I see her interact with him, she elicits this flowing personality of reading him, and what is going to work for him in that very moment. Her training and understanding of Autism and Robert allows her to handle him in any mood. They have a great routine where he grasps the concept of work and reward. Directing the pony to go, using words and signals to be able to communicate what he wants to do. ("First work, then trot" is a favorite plan with most riders.)
I think that the benefits for such riders like Robert, are the ability to understand how work is rewarded, and how work can lead to communication. He still is in his own world of autism, but for 30 minutes each week, on a horse, working with that horse and the movement of that horse, Robert is able to be one step closer to our world.
It overflows to outside of the farm, and the work and reward path helps to lend itself to Robert's ability to function outside of his hidden world of Autism. Parents and caregivers also benefit from the formulas that are put into place with the therapy that happens on the horse. There is so much behind that 30 minutes!
The relationship he actually has with the horse. To thank the horse for the experience, to trust the horse to work with him, and support him. To trust the instructor with what she promises (and HOPES) is a good experience. That the routines learned in that 30 minutes carry over into other routines. Let's also point out that the physical part of riding to an Autistic child (or any child for that matter-special needs or other wise.) The core of the body is used and muscles not normally used are engaged.
The biggest benefit? Selfishly-it's watching him work and concentrate on what has to be done in order to get a flashy toy, or go fast on the horse. The small things, and the devilish smiles he elicits is such a reward for all those involved!