EQUINE THERAPY FOR WAR VETERANS
Eduardo
C. Gerding
"Some say 'it's just a horse', but it's not
'just a horse'. A horse is a friend that listens when no one else will. A horse
helps people believe in themselves when others don't believe in them. A horse
helps builds trust through unbreakable friendships. A horse brings joy to those
who are feeling down. A horse is not 'just a horse', a horse is a hero. A hero
that is waiting for someone to be their hero. So the next time you hear 'It's
just a horse', tell them a horse is more then that. A horse is a hero waiting
for a hero." 18
Background
Hippocrates, Greek physician (469-399 BC)
recommended the use of horse riding to "regenerate
health and preserve the human body of many ailments , especially the treatment
of insomnia." Asclepiades of Prussia, Greek physician (134-40 BC)
believed that horse riding was beneficial for patients with gout, epilepsy,
paralysis, stroke, lethargy and frantic. It was also prescribed by Galen, Greek
physician (129-199). It was mentioned by Jerónimo Mercuriales, Italian
philologist and doctor (1530-1696). Thomas Sydenham advised riding for
tuberculosis, biliary colic, and flatulence. Friedrich Hoffman, chemist and
German physician (1660-1742) considered the horse´s walk as the healthiest
gait. Denis Diderot, French philosopher and writer (1713-1784) said that
horsemanship stimulated the movement of muscles. Horsemanship was also advised
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), Joseph Clement Tissot French
physician (1750-1826), Giuseppe Benvenuti (Italian physician) and Charles Marie
E. Chassaignac (French physician (1805-1879).
The first equestrian activity related to a hospital
was that of the Orthopedic Hospital of
Oswentry in South Africa. In 1917 equestrian activities began at the Universitary
Hospital of Oxford
In 1972, Dr.
Colette Picart Trintelin presented her doctoral thesis in equinotherapy at the
University of Paris in Val-de-Marne. In 1985 the International Equine Therapy Federation was created in Italy, its
current headquarters being in Belgium. 3,4
In Argentina, the Argentine Association of Equestrian Activities for the Disabled
(A.A.A.E.P.A.D) was founded by Mrs. Maria de los Angeles Kalbermatter more
than 35 years ago. She was a pioneer in Argentina together with centers in Brazil
. It has 250 disabled students of all ages and pathologies and works with an
Interdisciplinary Team of Health and Education Professionals of more than 20
people.
Terminology
7
The more
common therapies and terminology used to describe them are:
·
Therapeutic
horseback riding uses a
therapeutic team, usually including a certified therapeutic riding instructor,
two or more volunteers, and a horse, to help an individual ride a horse and
work with it on the ground.
·
Hippotherapy involves an occupational
therapist, a physiotherapist, or a speech and language therapist working with a
client and a horse. Different movements of the horse present challenges to the
client to promote different postural responses of the client by the horse
influencing the client rather than the client controlling the horse. The
word "Hippotherapy" is also used in some contexts to refer to a
broader realm of equine therapies.
·
Equine-assisted
learning (EAL)
is described as an "experiential learning approach that promotes the
development of life skills ... through equine-assisted activities."
·
Equine-assisted
psychotherapy (EAP)
does not necessarily involve riding, but may include grooming, feeding and ground
exercises. Mental health professionals work with one or more clients and one or
more horses in an experiential manner to help the clients learn about
themselves and others, while processing or discussing the client's feelings,
behaviours, and patterns. The goal is to help the client in social,
emotional, cognitive, or behavioral ways. Other terms for equine psychotherapy
include Equine-facilitated psychotherapy (EFP), equine-assisted therapy
(EAT), Equine Facilitated Wellness (EFW), Equine
Facilitated Counselling (EFC) and Equine Facilitated Mental Health
(EFMH).
·
Interactive vaulting involves vaulting activities in a therapeutic
milieu.
·
Therapeutic carriage driving involves controlling a horse while driving
from a carriage seat or from a wheelchair in a carriage modified to accommodate
the wheelchair.
·
Equine-Assisted
Activities (EAA)
incorporates all of the above activities plus horse grooming,
and stable management,
shows, parades, demonstrations, and the like.
What
elements include equino therapy
Equine therapy includes
activities such as combing, feeding, donning and driving a horse supervised by
a mental health specialist and often with the assistance of a horse specialist.
2,10
The specialist in
equinotherapy observes and interacts with the patient identifying their
patterns of behavior, thoughts and emotions. Many of the benefits noted are due
to the nature of the animals.
Horses do not judge, they
do not have expectations or preconceived motives and they reflect in a very
effective way the attitudes and the human behaviors.
Horses and people are
social beings whose herd dynamics are surprisingly similar to our family
structure. 17
The specialist in equino therapy observes and
interacts with the patient identifying their patterns of behavior, thoughts and
emotions. Many of the benefits noted are due to the nature of the animals.
María de los Angeles
Kalbermatter-Pioneer in Argentina-
Asociación
Argentina de Actividades Ecuestres para Discapacitados (A.A.A.E.P.A.D)-El poder curativo de los caballos (The horses´healing
power)
http://elpoderdeloscaballos.blogspot.com.ar/
Why horses ?? 4
When people first hear about equine
therapy, the first question is usually - why horses? Other animals (such as
dogs) are commonly used in animal assisted therapy, however horses are
considered to provide more scope for behavioural change. There are a number of
reasons for this, including the following:
Because of their size
As horses are large and powerful
animals, they can be intimidating. For some people, this presents them with a
challenge as soon as they start therapy - to overcome this fear. Combating this
initial issue can be incredibly liberating and helps to boost feelings of
confidence and self-esteem. Accomplishing tasks and gaining the trust of such
animals only continues to reinforce these feelings of empowerment.
Because they are herd animals
Horses are herd animals, which
means they naturally desire company and often want to be led. This makes them
very social animals that want to create bonds - and this can be especially
poignant when it comes to humans. Horses are therefore ideal for this type of
therapy, as they will be inclined to develop a relationship with you when you
are ready.
Because they mirror behaviour
Another reason horses are used is
because they have an innate ability to mirror the thoughts and behaviours of
others. Because they are prey animals, they can read body language and respond
instantly. This means that if you enter the horse’s space with a negative
attitude and defensive body language, chances are the horse won't want to
interact with you. Alternatively, if you enter with a sense of calm, confidence
and openness - you should find the horse responds more positively.
It is this trait that helps you
to reflect on your behaviour and challenge the way you approach situations both
inside and outside of your therapy session.
Because they have their own personality
Horses can be incredibly human in their
personalities - they can be stubborn and seemingly defiant at times. They also
like to have fun and often turn exercises into games. Horses can be incredibly
caring too, and if you are upset they often respond in a nurturing manner.
These personality traits once again make horses a natural companion during the
therapeutic process, providing vast opportunity for growth. 4
What are the Benefits of Equine Therapy?
Studies
have indicated that equine therapy has been successful in helping patients show
marked improvements in the following areas:
·
Assertiveness
·
Emotional
awareness
·
Empathy
·
Stress
tolerance
·
Flexibility
·
Impulse
control
·
Problem-solving
skills
·
Self-actualization
·
Independence
·
Self-regard
·
Social
responsibility
·
Interpersonal
relationships
What Conditions/Disorders Does Equine Therapy Treat?
Equine
therapy has been successfully integrated into treatment programs for adults and
teens who are being treated for substance abuse, addiction, behavior disorders,
mood disorders, eating disorders, learning differences, ADD/ADHD, autism,
Asperger’s, grief/loss, trauma, sex addiction, compulsive gambling, bipolar,
depression and related conditions.
1,6
Studying patients
with Down Syndrome 16 it has been
seen that equinotherapy covers neurophysiological, biomechanical and
psychoevolutive parameters, taking advantage of the interaction between the
horse, the trainer or therapist and the patient to stimulate the development of
physical abilities, language and the personality . 12
The movements of the
horse in the transverse and frontal sagittal planes stimulate the development
of the cochlear vestibule system and the strengthening of the patient's muscles
and joints, by means of the dissociation of the pelvic and scapular waist 9,13 improving their posture and tone, increasing
neuromotor coordination and spatio-temporal orientation, as well as attention
and concentration . 9,13
Cost of Equine Therapy
Sabino Recovery is a private center in Tucson, Arizona
(USA) where a 2 hs session of equine therapy costs $ 225 . 8
Equine therapy for Veterans of War
There is a center in the USA. (Vancouver, Washington) created by war veterans for war veterans called Windhaven Therapeutic Riding where equino therapy is performed. According to their instructors, it is not the veteran who chooses the horse but the horse who specifically seeks the veteran. The horse is never wrong. This therapy is the perfect response for patients with PTSD 11 and achieves maximum relaxation. 5
Each session consists of 8 60-minute lessons. All veterans begin with Session 1 and may repeat the Session as many times as they deem necessary. It takes 2 years for a veteran to complete the 8 sessions if that is what he wants. 18
The Man O 'War Project is the first university research study in the USA. specifically designed to establish the effectiveness of Equine Therapy for war veterans affected by PTSD and to prepare treatment manuals. 15
Sergeant
Major Sam Rhodes of the US Army He returned in 2005 after 30 months of
combat in Iraq with the diagnosis of PTSD. According to the US Department
of War Veterans, 11 to 20 percent of soldiers returning from Iraq and
Afghanistan have PTSD.
Warrior
Outreach-https://www.facebook.com/pg/WarriorOutreach2008/photos/
Rhodes
thought several times about committing suicide. In 2008 he found that
working with horses achieved a sense of inner peace and purpose in
life. He currently runs the Warrior
Outreach entity (a 20-acre ranch) that offers free programs to war veterans
and their families in Fortson, Georgia; 30 miles from the Army Base at
Fort Benning. Last year, 16,800 people attended this entity. Sergeant
Rhodes works full time at Fort Benning in the Ready and Resilient program at
the Maneuver Center for Excellence where he helps promote strong mental health
and suicide prevention guidelines for military personnel and their families. 14
Equine Therapy Entities in Argentina
Argentine Association
of Equino Therapy
Brig. Gral. Juan
Manuel de Rosas 279,Bella Vista, Buenos Aires
Argentine Scientific
Foundation Establo Terapéutico
Dr. Alexis Carrel
7205-Haras Trujuy Moreno, 1664, Buenos Aires
Argentine Association
of Equestrian activities for the disabled .
Av. Del Libertador
4489, CABA
Acknowledgment
-Andrea Pizzio-Andares Equinoterapia (A 6 Km. de Chajari, Entre Ríos)
-María de los Angeles Kalbermatter-Asociación Argentina de Actividades
Ecuestres para Discapacitados A.A.A.E.P.A.D. Pionera en Argentina y
Latinoamérica desde 1978.
-Windhaven Therapeutic Riding-Warhorses
with Warriors-PO
Box 73 La Center, WA 98629-EE.UU-
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