There are many early issues that children outgrow. However, at times, the adults involved wonder if they will survive their children’s childhood! Often, before children master the ability to express themselves appropriately, they do so by “acting out” in unacceptable ways–with sullenness, defiance, impatience, and even violent outbursts.
Sadly, other children have experienced traumas that have left them fearful, insecure, overly shy, depressed, or out of touch with their feelings or even with their bodies.
Horse therapy–with its beneficial emphasis of positive and appropriate interaction–can help. It has been clinically documented that just being around horses changes the brain wave patterns of humans. We calm down and become more centered and focused in the present when we are with horses. We are transformed in a very positive way.
For children with mental and emotional disorders, the benefits of experience with horses is frequently profound. Children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) can, for instance, magically focus on the horse for long periods of time when either grooming or leading the horses.
Once they understand how to ask for and receive cooperation from the horse, their self-esteem goes sky-high. The result? A shy, withdrawn, fearful child may stand tall and confident as he or she leads a 1,200-pound animal through an obstacle course of twists, turns, and stops.