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I think that it is a great form of therapy. Studies have shown that animals can have a very calming, healing, effect on people. Now in my own personal experience I can go into the barn madder than...well, you know, and after I pet my horse I'm instantly calm.

Well, seeing as I'm majoring in Therapeutic Horsemanship, I should hope that I would think it's good therapy!

I've personally watched the amazing change in some of the kids that I've worked with, just in my first year at school working with the TH program. It's absolutely astounding.

Along with that, whenever I'm having some personal crisis of my own, I can always lose myself at the barn, and just forget about whatever's going on by taking Denny out for a gallop, or working on getting Sella to supple to the right, or taking Lucky through a few grids. The only time I can remember that horses didn't have a calming, therapeutic affect on me was when my horse was the root of the problem (I had just found out that his lameness was chronic). But even when they're at the very center, my horses have always had a way of lending their manes to cry into for a few minutes, then turning around and nudging me in the ribs as if to say "Hey, it's okay. Things will get better, just you wait and see."

To be perfectly honest, if it weren't for them, I don't know if I would have lasted as long as I have.

Actually, I use horseback riding as physiotherapy, for my knee. The doctor suggested I go to physio, and when I went they told me how cantering a horse around an arena, with my right leg on the inside, can really help it get stronger, and support me in competitions better ^_^

I was estatic when I heard it. They just said I should canter in a standing position, rather than my usual seated canter, so that I can get the movement in with my legs.

It hurts like a biatch... like... alot, but I can feel it helpling. And the fact that it's with horses really helped with my positive attitude as well. They're saying to give it a good three or four months before it really improves, but it'll get there. How awesome is that? =D

Horse back riding, or just spending time wiht my horse does a lot for me. Especially if im really stresseed with work or school or something.

It clears my mind. And I think that my horse can tell when im feeling really tense.

I find it very good therapy. o.o;.. All I have ever been in was therapy for my emotional issues and people thinking I will blow up the world or something. But, all that did was make the matter worse andit made me trust and just be madder at the human race. Then I got into the horseback riding and it has worked wonders... Even helped me out with sosme of my emotional and other problems. o.o;.. They've even helped me open up and use more of my emotions but rage.. Unlock all those good emotions.. But, I wont tell you that I'm 100% better. That's 14 years of serious rage and issues.. x_x That's besides the point, though. Anyways, yeah I find it very good therapy. We'll take some of our older horses and take them to Expo's and give pony rides for special children and such. We'll even do that at some horse shows.. Usually the Lexington Horse Center, in Lexington Virginia. o.o; But, still. lol But, yeah I'm done rambeling. sweatdrop

I would think that the thought was crazy until I couldn't ride for several months due to weather. I got depressed and wouldn't eat. All sorts of bad things. I got diagnosed with seasonal depression but as soon as I got back to riding I was just fine.

I work at a therapeutic riding ranch in South Dakota every summer, and this year at the special olympics. I saw kids who couldn't even sit up and with the riding therapy they can sit up now.
The kids/adults there look forward to the 30 mins to an hour of riding a week, and some thats all they look forward to.