At DHG our goal is to assist existing therapeutic horseback riding facilities. Offering them the Funding opportunities to increase their effectiveness in the communities they serve. Create working Capital for tools, maintenance. rehab and repairs. New equipment and research or training for continued educational purposes.

Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) encompasses a range of treatments that involve activities with horses and other equines to promote human physical and mental health. The use of EAT has roots in antiquity, and EAT applies to physical health issues in modern form dates to the 1960s. Modern use of horses for mental health treatment dates to the 1990s. Systematic review of studies of EAT as applied to physical health date only to about 2007, and a lack of common terminology and standardization has caused problems with meta-analysis. Due to a lack of high-quality studies assessing the efficacy of equine-assisted therapies for mental health treatment, these therapies should not replace other evidence-based mental health therapies.

What is therapeutic riding and path?

As with all activities involving horses, therapeutic riding improves the cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being of participants. Heartland’s PATH Intl Certified Instructors teach adaptive riding skills to adults and children with varying special needs. Lessons focus on an individual’s abilities and goals.

How is horse riding therapeutic?

This was followed by a relaxing phase for both the horses and patients during their interactions on the ground. During the riding phase which followed, the heart and respiratory rates of the horses again increased. These decreased during the recovery phase.

What are the benefits of therapeutic riding?

• Improves self-esteem
• Improves confidence
• Improves concentration and attention span
• Improves motivation - rider must perceive the therapy as fun. ...
• Contact with the horse demands constantly changing adaptive responses and resulting automatic self-correction. ...
• Feeling of euphoria following physical stress. ...
• Effect of human-animal bonding