Letting go of the reins, finding the flow with the horse, healing through the movement,… Being in contact with horses is a very special remedy to pain and wounds. The connexion with the horse involves many benefits at a variety of levels: educational, psychological, biomechanical, somatical and physical.

At every obstacle…

In fact, every session has the objective to work on different areas that will be previously defined with the therapist and the patient:

• sensory-motricity,
• self-esteem,
• self-awareness,
• verbal and non verbal communication,
• mobility,
• manual dexterity and fine motility,
• and attention.

… look between the horse’s ears!

Every patient gets his or her invitation to follow the movement of the horse. Consequently, the experience with the animal is a soothing moment: some parts of the body can finally let it go like the pelvis of a disabled child. In  fact, feeling confident, noticing the horse’s body warmth, finding balance will allow the rider to live and to feel unique emotions and sensations.

Heal & Play

Surely, games in relation with the defined objective will be proposed to the rider in order to develop and to change. At the same time, the participant is being rocked by the slow pace of the horse.

Ultimately, petting the horse, breathing together, brushing it, looking after it, seeing it coming spontaneously, scratching it, feeling useful, smelling the fur, riding like any rider… Every meeting is a peaceful and joyful moment.

Among all the benefits that can bring horses to the most vulnerable riders, we notice the development of:

• a sense of safety,
• interpersonal relationships,
• self-esteem,
• verbal/non-verbal communication,
• focus, self-awareness and social awareness,
• balance, flexibility, coordination and balance,
• quality of life,
• relaxation and letting go,
• emotional intelligence and social adaptability.

Source of motivation

The horse is the perfect ally to motivate the kid: the equine therapy session is so much more than a horse riding experience. It is enriched by games and dynamics inspired from yoga, mindfulness, NLP (neurolinguistic programmation) and art therapy.

Always connected to the moment spent with the horse, activities and exercises could be given to practice at home: visualisation of a peaceful moment of the session, writing a cart to the horse … It allows to amplify the benefits of the session and to anchor the benefits even more.

Harvest results

From the a first initial session, a test assessing communication, social and emotional skills (made by the equine therapy association EPONA and revised by Doctor Robert Roche)  is to be completed.

After that, objectives and goals will be identified. Every month, an analysis of the therapy effects will allow to value the benefits of the treatment plan.

Warm welcome into our community

Ultimately, we give our sessions at horse riding schools with authentic community of nature and animal lovers.

Every year, the team of equine therapists organises shows and events for the pleasure of all.

Finally, riders will help the horse riding school in some volunteering tasks. Participating to the life at the horse riding school is an another opportunity to feel responsible and engaged.

All for one, one for all

More importantly, shared notes will be sent to follow each change of the child.

If the sessions are completing a treatment given by other professionals, working together to develop synergy is very important for us.