Yesterday we traveled to the Wicklow Mountains for horseback riding. As this was only my second time horseback riding, I wasn’t privy to all of the benefits this activity can have for individuals with and without disabilities. While I was riding Cleo, I could feel certain muscles loosening up and my posture starting to improve. I focused on “being one with the horse” and not letting her sense any nervousness. I allowed myself to trust in my horse and let my body move freely with Cleo’s stride.
When individuals with disabilities ride horses, they experience many of the same things that I did. I learned that horseback riding is highly recommended for wheelchair-users as it helps to improve posture and core strength. It works muscles that few others activate. We also learned that horseback riding can improve eye contact and other social behaviors in individuals with ASD and other similar diagnoses. This may be a result of the bond formed between the individual and animal but I’m not entirely sure.
Despite the many benefits of horseback riding for persons with disabilities, it is seriously underutilized. This is considered to be an “alternative therapy” and is therefore not covered by most insurance companies. With the scarcity of companies offering this service and the high cost, many families cannot afford for their family member to participate in this beneficial therapy. Maybe in the future, more insurance companies will begin to recognize more alternative therapies and realize that they are not all hoaxes.