The Silva Project Equine-Assisted Therapy

The Silva Project equine-assisted therapy program has two components. The first is horseback riding, which takes place under the supervision of our certified therapeutic instructor and trained volunteers. Riders with mental or physical disabilities are given twenty-five minute riding lessons where they work towards learning how to control the horse, and also gain self-esteem and confidence.

The second part of our program is social. Residents of community group homes and asylums, who often have severe mental disabilities, visit the Silva stables every Friday afternoon to walk through the garden and see the horses. During their visits, the program participants brush, walk, and feed the Skyrian horses. These weekly visits to the Silva Estate are frequently the only time our participants get to go outside and interact with nature.

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The Benefits of Therapeutic Horseback Riding

Therapeutic horseback riding brings about remarkable benefits to its riders through stretching both mind and muscles. Because horseback riding gently and rhythmically moves the rider's body in a manner similar to a human gait, riders with physical disabilities often show improvement in flexibility, balance, and muscle strength. Spastic muscles relax and muscles not ordinarily used are challenged. For someone who cannot walk, see, or communicate easily, riding a horse allows that person to experience a new sense of freedom. Therapeutic riding and equine-assisted therapy have improved the lives of many people with disabilities such as: muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, MS, amputation, paralysis, spina bifida, mental retardation, autism, brain damage, down syndrome, developmental disabilities, ADD/ADHD, dyslexia, and learning disabilities.

From an emotional and psychological standpoint, building a relationship with an animal is very rewarding in many aspects. For a person with an emotional, social or psychological disability, the trust and loyalty an animal shows for people demonstrates to the student how important these attributes are in personal relationships. Horses also help people feel in control of their situation because there is a direct correlation between action and reaction. To learn how to care for and ride a horse, a student must also be able to communicate efficiently with the horse and the instructor. In this way, riding is a very social activity, but is less daunting to people who are uncomfortable in social situations. These aspects of the riding experience are very similar to most of animal-assisted therapy. However, the experience of riding a horse is very different. Riding helps to empower people and enables them to connect on a personal level. The sometimes unpredictable nature of animals also creates a real-life environment in which students will be able to confront fears and make adjustments to situations that may be beyond their control Riders form a positive relationship with the horse and improve their coordination, balance, self-esteem and physical strength, while gaining a sense of fulfillment. Best of all, it's fun.

For more information on the different types of equine therapy please click here.

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