Equine therapy as an industry is a form of therapy that involves working with horses to help individuals with disabilities and mental health issues. It can help build strength, balance, and coordination. Equine therapy can also help kids develop better emotional regulation, higher self-confidence, and more independence.
Equine therapy is recommended for many people with PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and autism.
Sessions are usually held weekly or bi-weekly and will usually last for about an hour. The number of sessions needed will vary depending on your child’s specific needs. While some children may see improvement in just a few sessions, most equine therapy programs recommend a minimum of 8–12 sessions in order to see improvement.
There is always some degree of risk involved when working with animals as big as horses. Thankfully, most equine therapy programs have gone through years of training to minimize the risks. Make sure you choose an accredited program that is properly insured, and that your child wears the proper protective gear, such as a helmet.
Maybe. Whether or not your insurance will cover your child’s equine therapy will depend on many different things including your insurance, the type of therapy your child will receive (hippotherapy, therapeutic riding, etc…), and whether or not a specialist-prescribed equine therapy as part of your child’s overall treatment plan.
