Why Horses?

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Works Cited

Babcock, Issac. "Miracle Horses." n. pag. Web. 11 Nov 2010. http://www.eosun.com/EOSun/article.asp?ID=4579.

Dubetz, Danielle. "Abused Horses Give Back." n. pag. Web. 16 Nov 2010.

Frost, Janelle. "Healing on Horseback." (2010): n. pag. Web. 9 Nov 2010. http://www.thesunnews.com/2010/08/28/1659909/healing-on-horseback.html.

"Gabby." New Heights. Web. 16 Nov 2010. http://www.newheightstherapy.org/ProgramInformation/ImpactofTherapeuticRiding/tabid/84/Default.aspx.

"Healing." Miracle Horses. Web. 9 Nov 2010.

"Little Bit." Little Bit Therapy . Web. 11 Nov 2010. http://www.refresheverything.com/littlebittrc.

 Maynarich, Melissa. "Horse Therapy Making A Difference." (2009): n. pag. Web. 10 Nov 2010. http://www.news9.com/global/story.asp?s=11243629

"Open Gate." Open Gate Farms. Web. 11 Nov 2010. http://www.opengait.org/OpenGait_Program.htm.

Shapario, Mary. "Healing Power of A Horse." (2010): n. pag. Web. 9 Nov 2010. http://suburbanjournals.stltoday.com/articles/2010/05/18/west/special_feature/0519wc-equine0.txt.

Wordle #2

Reflection on Findings

This whole process has been very eye opening for me. I have reinforced the knowledge of horse assisted therapy being most effective with children that have autism and Down syndrome, and because I volunteer on Sundays with children, I have seen this with my own eyes. I have noticed their behaviors and how they have changed along the way. Some of the kids were really shy before and now that I have done this research, I have noticed that it does help them when someone just listens and is not always asking them questions. I would definitely do this type of project again, but with a different topic, most likely with horses.

Finding Paragraph #3: Types of people.

What type of people would horse assisted therapy be more effective with?

Horse therapy has been used with people who have been abused, have autism, down syndrome, ADHD or ADD, are foster children, and ones that have been in an accident and have injuries. The most common ones that has been researched are the programs that help children with autism and down syndrome. The volunteers that work with autistic children notice a difference in their behaviors around the horses and them.(Dubetz) "He feels freedom. He feels independence. He feels powerful. He feels skilled. In  his daily life, as much as we try to set him up for success, he often feels frustrated and less than able, less than his peers in terms of what he can accomplish...."(New Heights) Mary's son has Autism and she notices a difference with the way he acts. She says that when he is on the horse he feels like he is free, in control, and successful, which is more than what they could do for him in his daily life.

Finding Paragraph #2: Why not horses?

Why do some people think that horses should not be used in rehabilitation programs? 

The people who think psychiatrists are better for their child have a right to their opinion. Some think that because they are animals they can not understand their child; therefore, they should not be used. Psychiatrists can ask questions, reply to questions, and show emotion; whereas, horses cannot. Some do not think that is what they need, but on the other hand, that can sometimes be exactly what the child needs. They do not necessarily want someone  to poke and prod them about why they do not talk. They just want to be around someone who will accept them for who they are, not for who they want them to be; that is where the horses come in.

Finding Paragraph 1: How can they help?

How can a horse help children with disabilities?

Horses have helped children with different disabilities. The most common ones are Autism and Down Syndrome. The volunteers at different programs have noticed a difference with the children that attend regularly. Some would not even talk to anyone, including their parents. Now when they are on the horse the children are giving directions to the volunteers and the horse, and when they get off they talk to their parents about what they did. Sometimes they will even run to their parents and hug them. (Maynarich)"These children put up a wall because they have been hurt so much and a horse is able to penetrate that wall"(Dubetz) The children have blocked out everyone in their lives and keep to themselves. Stacy, president of the Fidelis Foundation in FL, said the horses are able to do things people can not do to help the children. After the horses break the barriers, the volunteers are welcomed by the children to talk and for the most part, the receive and answer from them.