Hippotherapy

has anyone used therapeutic riding for their autistic child?

Public Comments

1. i have not, as i am only in high school, but my friends little brother used to go for lessons. They were extremely beneficial for him, and everyone noticed a huge change in his personality and ability of movement. Overall, they were very worth while for him. Also, there is one adult rider at my barn who is also autistic and takes lessons on my horse, Beau. Overall, they are very helpful for her, and generally make her feel good when she has good lessons. She is just beginning to canter now [= Also, I have seen improvement in what she is doing with Beau. In the beginning my tack would be out of order, Beau would be a little dirty, and things would not be put back properly. Over time, i have noticed that things are being put back correctly and the grooming done on Beau is better. I am not sure how long she has been riding total, but she has been riding Beau for a little over 6 months. Finally, the bonds formed with the horses are wonderful to watch. Overall, i believe that riding is one of the best things you can do for you child. I have seen wonderful results myself, and it amazes me how calm and safe the horses act around them.. Even my TB who is rather high strung calms down and listens to his autistic rider.. Good Luck [=
2. This may help...
3. i used to work at a riding for the disable ranch and we had a lot of children with autism come there i would try to see if there is a place like that near you as it is great for the kids because the movement of riding a horse is like walking so these muscles get exercised
4. I have *taught* two autistic children. I think it's a wonderful thing to get your child involved in :D
5. At the horse expo I preform at, they always have the theraputic riding center do a debut with their 'clients' on board. They get standing ovations from the crowd and trust me, those clients are soaking it in. They have huge grins on their faces and you can see them sit up straighter as they make their victory laps around the arena. I am blessed with a child that isn't autistic, but I really thinking horseback riding, does something, I can't explain it, but there is something there that is extremely beneficial for these people.
6. i've seen a lot of horses help a lot of troubled humans with a lot of different problems. i've helped quite a few kids with their first horse or pony and made friends for life doing it with a good horse's help. actually i'm not real sure who was the helper most of the time, i think i took more lesson from the horse than the other way around often. i've dealt with people who run riding for handicapped establishments and most are the most unselfish, helpful people i've ever met. there's nothing better for any human than a quality relationship with a horse. according to some experts horses think in the same manner as autistic people, with images and other sensory memories rather than words. i believe it true. It's no wonder they have better success communicating with the kid than any human who can't understand the concept. many kids now are labeled with mental problems so their parents can get special treatment, extra funds, or sympathy. time with a horse is good for them while other unneeded treatments and drugs often compound the kids real problem. i can't compliment the horses and people who work therapeutic riding centers enough, they do a great service for all involved. old experienced smart horses otherwise worthless in todays "my horse is prettier/better than yours" world get to show off their abilities. if more people recognized the animals contribution perhaps no old kids ponies would ever see an early "humane euthanasia" or slaughter plant. horses use body language to communicate much more than any noises they make, they often know what state of mind you are in at a glance while you think you've got it hid from the world. it's hard to fool an old kids pony and makes no difference to the pony if you want to try, it can work it's magic on any kid with or without problems if the kid is interested or open to communication. we can't communicate with the autistic person on the same level the horse can. horses have been used for therapeutic tasks with humans since the romans as i understand. who was it who said that there's nothing better for a human soul than a horse's back or something like that? if you want to volunteer time or a trusted horse helping others, donating the horse to a riding for handicap facility is the best place for it i've seen. They always need volunteers with some human health care experience or willingness (that's not me). i've helped with some horse training. Little is required for most horses to do the work, they just have to learn to work from the handlers instructions from the ground and ignore the movement or lack of on their back, they catch on quick or already understand often. To pass the certification tests the horse sometimes needs to be good at taking clumsy cues from people who are more human health care oriented than showing off with a horse. it don't take long for the horse to learn, sometimes it's hard for the person. a horse is the best exercise machine for humans ever made, thank you God.
7. no i have not....but that is awesome of you to want to do that.... 10 thumbs up.... ps...my dad used to teach kids how to ride and rope.... to get them to want to do something else other than cause problems... and for some it really did work...
8. I have an autistic client. He has trouble with small motor skills but is improving with riding. I don't have a therapeutic riding center, just give lessons. I think it does a great deal for the child and I've seen so much progress with this particular little boy. Granted his folks are doing many many different things for him but I think the riding is helping along with the other things. If you hadn't known this child for 3 or 4 years you would never think he is autistic. 4 years ago there would have been no doubt.
9. Two of my aunts, my grandma and I volunteer at a theraputic riding stable. Right now there are three kids that I see regularly that are autistic (one is really severe) and it is amazing how much of a difference the horses make in their lives, for all the kids. The kid who has the worst autism wouldn't walk, stand, talk, wave, or anything when he first came, at least not at the barn. Now (three weeks later) he is beginning to talk to us, he gets up to get on the horse by himself, and he actually makes an effort now. (He has some leg problems too so he can't walk very well.)
10. Here is a place thats been doing that since I was a little girl dreaming through the fence... http://coffeecreek.org/ I'm sure they could give you more info or put you in touch with a local organization.
11. Hi! I volunteer at a therapeutic riding center at least once a week. Although I cannot share personal stories (privacy policy), I can tell you that almost 30% of our riders are autistic in one form or another. Therapeutic riding is extremely beneficial, for people with physical lesser-abilities and mental lesser-abilities, as the client is able to form a bond with the horse, and relating it to safe and a fun thing to be around. It would be a good idea for you to enroll your child in a therapeutic riding class. These sessions are one-on-one, so your child can get the attention he or she needs. There may be one or more children in the ring at once, but each one has an individual instructor. Please do not enroll your child at a center that is not NARHA qualified. These instructors may not be certified and their methods may even be hurting your child. For more information, log on to http://www.narha.org. Merry Christmas!!!
12. I don't have a child who does therapeutic riding but rather I work where I do therapeutic riding for youth of all ages. (Even some adults) It is amazing to see how a person (of any age) not only bonds but for some reason the horse is able to bring a child out of their shell like I have never seen before. It does work and does wonders for people of all handicapps. Doesn't matter if it is emotional, mental, or physical. There isn't one that I have experienced it not working on. I would suggest that you find a place where the specialize in therapeutic riding and not a normal riding stable. How the people there deal with your child is just as important as the horses. And then start and see what happens!
13. My sister owns a horse and has an autistic son. The horse is therapy for her stress, and she feels it is a good influence on her son. One of his few words is "horse".
14. I have certification from NARHA and teach quite a few autistic riders. Besides exercise we work on social skills, confidence, complex tasks, and generally enjoy ourselves. The NARHA site ( http://www.narha.org/ ) will locate a certified site near you. Good riding and good luck.
15. Hey, I don't have a child in Therapeutic riding but I have worked with a therapeutic group. My friend also does have a child that rides with me. It has given him a lot of growth in life and confidence. It gets the child out and lets them do something that they can enjoy. It hits them on a personal area that we cant' hit. They love it. I hope everything works out for you and your child. I would definitely give it a try! Its very full filling. Meredith
16. I used to be a barn manager at a therapeutic riding center, and we did have autistic children come in.Let me tell you like the others have stated,seeing these special kids on the horses and seeing the change in them is totally priceless!!It is a expirence I will never forget.Talk to your child's doctor about getting a refrence to your local theraphy center,also you can find a local center by going onto the NARHA. Good luck and it will be a life changing expirence for the better:)