Within the conclusion of our first week in Dublin, I think it is important to access my overall experiences in relation to disability. My favorite activity this week was horseback riding. Since I was little, I have always loved all types of animals. Connecting with animals has always been therapeutic for me. Being able to interact with an animal, either small or large, has many benefits for a person such as improving communication skills as well as building a trusting relationship that is deeper than words. Caring for animals also helps develop perspective within oneself. In relation to disability, horses are large animals that are extremely well at understanding a persons emotion. Horses are also very responsive animals so in addition to reading the rider well, they are also able to be present in the moment and respond better to certain behaviors compared to other animals. A general connection between a horse and a rider is also easily established due to the similarities in emotional regulation of both species.

Last summer I was able to intern at a unique camp named Communicate. Throughout the day at camp, participants had the option to use the Therapeutic Equestrian Center (TEC) during their allotted time. Participants disabilities ranged from communication deficiencies, down syndrome, autism, and a variation of physical handicaps. No matter what the disability type, each individual received benefits from the TEC. While riding one of the therapeutic horses, participants focused on different activities that would on cognitive abilities, communication abilities, and general social skills such as playing and making decisions for themselves. In addition the the social benefits of the TEC, the horses also allowed a particular form of mobility for the participants. For a lot of participants, time spent in the TEC was one of the only occasions throughout the day they were also to ditch their wheelchairs or paraprofessionals. Riding the horses allowed the participants to develop their own relationship with the horse while also challenging their posture and overall strength.

Within the TEC throughout the summer was were most participants developed the most. For example, at the beginning of the summer there was a girl with down syndrome who feared the horses and was very hesitant to go in the TEC. After weeks of easing her into the TEC by allowing her to watch the horses, then walk the horse, and eventually interact with the horse; she was able to confidently ride the horse by the end of the summer. Through slow exposure to the horse, she was able to develop skills that cannot be taught by another person. Her ability to gain trust was strengthened as well as her understanding of others. Most importantly she was able to understand herself better and become more confident.

The use of therapeutic horses is also extremely important and beneficial because it is an all exclusive activity. Riding a horse is just as exciting to me as it is for an individual with a disability. There is no stigma that is correlated with riding horses. I really enjoyed our time spent here on Friday and was able to gain new perspective of how horse therapy is such a useful tool in therapy.