Soaring Spirits:
Harnessing the Healing Power of Horses
Equine Assisted Therapy
A Historical Perspective: Horses and Humans
Horses helping humans has been around for hundreds and hundreds of years — probably since the beginning of time. Our first mental image of horses and humans interacting is probably the Native Americans riding bareback across the open plains, their hair, mane, and tail flowing behind them as they chase down buffalo. Or we could picture a scene from the “Little House on the Prairie” with a horse-drawn carriages clacking along a dusty road to the little A-framed white cottage church or local store. We might even picture a little girl all dressed up in her sparkling western garb trotting her horse around the arena. Perhaps we even dream of waking up Christmas morning hoping with everything we had that Santa had left a real-life pony under the tree.
Equine-Assisted Therapy: Healing Through Connection
But what about the physical and mental aspects of horses helping people? In the 1950s the medical community took notice when Liz Hartel of Denmark — suffering from polio and confined to a wheelchair — won the 1952 Helsinki Olympics Silver Medal in Dressage. She had used horseback riding as a form of therapy. Since that time, the various forms of horse therapy spread to Canada and the United States.
We at Soaring Spirits are proud to be able to offer the benefits of horseback riding to the folks of Bartholomew County, Indiana, and the surrounding areas.
The Inspiration Behind Soaring Spirits
The idea for offering equine assisted therapy at Soaring Spirits was inspired by Gypsy, the horse pictured in the middle. Horses are big, strong animals that have an uncanny ability to relate to humans. They are non-judgmental and understanding of us and our emotions. And they have their own way of communicating if we know how to listen. It is well known that horses and humans can form profound bonds and it is this feeling that Soaring Spirits wants to share with others.
Equine Assisted Mentoring & Therapy
Soaring Spirits provides unique therapeutic programs utilizing horses to benefit both adults and children. Horses have a natural ability to connect with individuals, enabling breakthroughs beyond traditional counseling environments. These equine sessions offer insights, aiding participants in self-reflection and promoting self-improvement. Moreover, horseback riding has shown significant physical benefits for those with physical disabilities, as the movement mirrors the human gait, exercising muscles that might otherwise remain dormant. The therapy is effective for a wide range of conditions, from behavioral issues and substance abuse to muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, autism, and intellectual disabilities, among others. For more detailed information and services, Soaring Spirits welcomes inquiries.
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