What we do
The Drum RDA is a centre for equine therapy, where children and adults can experience the wonderful benefits of working with horses.
But what exactly is equine therapy?
Equine therapy uses horses as therapeutic aids for people who need physical, occupational or psychological rehabilitation or support. Interactions with horses help improve physical abilities through the movement and dynamics of riding. They also promote emotional connections with the animal that can enhance mental health.
Why are horses such good therapists?
You may be thinking that the physical health benefits of horse riding are obvious, but you’re not so sure about the mental health benefits. How could an animal be a good mental health therapist?
It comes down to natural instincts. Horses are ‘flight animals’, which means they’ve evolved to be hyper vigilant of the world around them, watching for a reason to react quickly, such as run away from danger. This means they are hyper vigilant of human emotions and reactions as well — their ability to read body language is excellent.
So how does this help you?
Basically, working with horses teaches you how to be more aware of your own emotions. A horse will, with its own body language, tell you it’s noticed if you’re feeling anxious or grumpy. When you’re working with a horse, you want to be able to build a relationship of trust with him, and he’s more likely to trust you when you’ve regulated your feelings and emotions.
Working with horses also requires concentration, whether you’re grooming or riding. You’re communicating through body language, so both you and the horse are observing each other. You are both in the present moment. This means that for the time you are with the horse, your brain is focused, calm and engaged in what’s happening now and you can leave the rest of the world at the stable door.
‘Horses don’t care what colour you are, how tall or short or how small or large you are, or whether you’re rich or poor ... None of that means anything to a horse. A horse takes you at face value for how you make him feel in that moment.’
Buck Brannaman, the inspiration behind The Horse Whisperer
Mental health
We’ve already mentioned the mental health break of being in the present with horses, but their positive effects on mental health are multi-faceted and fascinating. And these effects have been felt by a wide range of people, from those experiencing anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder to people with ASM or learning disabilities.
Let’s start with the very basic, and natural, response to working with a horse — an initial fear of this large creature. People who have that fear, or general trust issues, will spend time with a horse, learning the practicalities of how to work with them. In doing so, and often without realising, they will develop a relationship with the animal, losing that fear and gaining trust and respect. And because horses are sensitive to moods and emotions of humans, they respond appropriately, allowing riders to relax and be calmed by them.
Participants are also taught that shouting and aggression may frighten a horse, resulting in an outcome they did not want. Instead, they must learn to read the animal’s body language and relate to them in an assertive yet gentle way. As riders have progressed, trainers at equine therapy centres have observed improvements in many areas, including self-awareness, impulse control, social skills, confidence and more.
How is equine therapy effective?
Let’s look a little more closely at why working with horses is so good for both the mind and the body.
Physical health
Riding itself is exercising. While you’re thinking about how you can ask the horse to turn or stop, your body is also getting a workout by sitting up tall in the saddle, balancing and counter-balancing with the horse’s movements, and giving instructions with your legs. In classes, trainers might ask riders to stretch and reach for objects as well, engaging both the muscles and the brain. Studies have shown that riding improves core strength, balance, muscle tone and flexibility.
But it’s not just about getting exercise — there are physical therapy benefits as well. For example, people with cerebral palsy benefit from riding because the movement of the walking horse helps stretch muscles and prevent contracture of high tone muscles and strengthens low tone muscles, which helps with core stability.
For those who do not have the use of their legs for walking, the horse’s gait closely replicates the motion of the human hip. This movement improves the sensorimotor integration of non-ambulatory riders, giving them the feeling of independence and confidence of walking without the aid of a wheelchair or being otherwise confined. Often the rides are outdoors, in nature, with fellow riders and supportive trainers — yet more ways that it is mentally beneficial as well.