To many the term of equine therapy is a new age idea, when in fact it is deeply rooted throughout history.
460 BC- Hippocrates the father of medicine wrote about hippotherapy which translates into "Horse treatment" or treatment with the aid of horses in 460 BC. Hippocratess talks about the physical, emotional and mental impact of equine assisted therapy on humans. He states that the interaction with the horse as being beneficial, how the gate of the horse mimics the natural movement of a healthy human. Studies show that the ancient Greeks used equine assisted therapy to treat everything from anxiety disorders to physical disabilities.
1569- Hieronymus Mercurialis an Italian physician was asked to review Hippocrates writings on natural exercise and the benefit. He concluded that Hippocrates findings that a balance between diet and exercise is important for a natural balance. These regiment could include walking, horseback riding showed great promise to a healthy body. He later went on to publish De Arte Gymnastica. Which described a healthy body and exercise including horseback riding could have value in preventing illness and treat mental disorders.
1875- French Neurologist Charles Chassaignac was credited with the first real study of equine therapy and its effects of healing. He concluded that therapeutic riding improved muscle strength and tone as well as range of motion. Also, he found that balance and joint movement improved. His studies not only showed physical improvements but improvements in mood and cognitive function. It reduced the symptoms of brain related injuries and was used to treat patients at the Oxford Hospital to help rehabilitate wounded soldiers from the First World War.
1952- The more modern influencer of equine assisted therapy would be Lis Hartel from Denmark. Whose story of equine assisted therapy started in 1944 the then 23 year old Lis contracted Polio leaving her completely paralyzed. Lis turned back to her love of horses and refused to give in to her new life challenges. She spent the next 3 years doing rigorous physical therapy program using horses. She regained most of her muscle control with the exception of partial paralysis from the knee down. Which was a remarkable achievement only to compound by the fact that she became one of the first 4 women to compete in what was at the time a male only sport. She entered and competed in Dressage a form of Olympic horseback riding in the 1952 Olympics and took the silver medal and returned 4 years later to win a second silver medal. The medical field took notice at what a remarkable feet this was for a person to go from completely paralyzed to regain 80% muscle usage and win to Olympic medals.
Within a few years equine assisted therapy gained recognition and organizations were being formed with it in mind. In 1969 the British Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) were formed. Which lead the way for the current association known as the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH), and the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA).
Equine assisted therapy has since been used to help countless veterans and people with both physical disabilities, and emotional, mental and behavioral disabilities as well.
We at Fort Warrior Ranch wish to build on these programs with our own twist. We combined some of the traditional PTSD and trauma therapy's with equine assisted therapy into a tailored treatment facility (a full working cattle ranch). With the goal of helping veterans with PTSD and physical disabilities.