Kathryn Yuma is the Development Manager at Hearts & Horses, a therapeutic riding center in Loveland, Colorado. The mission at Hearts & Horses is to promote the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social wellbeing of people with special needs. In this episode, Kathryn talks about the magic of therapeutic riding and why it can be an excellent choice for teens struggling with social and emotional issues, teens at risk, and teens who need physical and occupational therapy.
The natural gait (movement) of the horse stimulates human walking movement in a manner that cannot be replicated mechanically. While riding, participants must constantly make postural adjustments to maintain their balance, which in turn increases their overall balance, orientation, and body awareness. Other benefits include improved muscle tone, posture, range of motion, flexibility, social skills and emotional well-being. In addition, our horses provide a non-judgmental relationship, accepting individuals for who they are regardless of physical, emotional, or social abilities.
Key Takeaways
- What makes a horse so special?
- Do you have to love horses to begin riding or working with a horse?
- Hippotherapy is horse interactive therapy services that are a direct medical treatment provided by a licensed physical therapist or occupational therapist and can start as young as age two.
- The Changing Leads Program is designed to help youth-at-risk find friendship, develop trust and form a deep connection through partnering with a horse. The program focuses on teaching transferable skills to enhance personal, school, family, and community relationships through Equine Facilitated Learning.
- Teens and adults who suffer from PTSD have found great healing in horses.
- How does Kathryn structure each program?
- There are 30 horses on the property that various students can work with or grow with as they progress, with riders starting as young as 2 years old.
- It’s very hard to describe the magic and the beauty that comes from horse therapy.
Resources:
Quotes:
“The magical thing about horses, or even animals, is that there is no judgment. They see you as a human being.”
“Teens don’t like to recognize that they have vulnerabilities, and it is really incredible to see what horses can bring out and help them to heal.”
“Every horse is different; they have their own personalities. They’re just like humans; no horse is the same.”
