Horse Lovers Club

Riding Instructors Training Be To Equine Assisted Therapists

by Sandra Cooper

Many disabled people benefit from riding, some from the therapy it gives, others by actually learning to ride. The benefits can be enormous and wide-ranging. They include improvements to balance, co-ordination, muscle tone, concentration and behavior. The riders may benefit from the necessary discipline, respond to requests, overcome fears, learn trust and interact socially with their helpers and their peers, developing an increase in confidence and self-esteem.

The horse moving naturally in walk simulates and synthesizes a movement as close to the human walk as is possible. This movement is used as a treatment base. Each rider is taught on the basis of his or her own individual needs and goals within a group lesson aided by the volunteers. The movement and the warmth of the horse encourages relaxation, stimulates the function of the internal organs and digestive tracts. The riders develop balance and learn to position themselves to accommodate the pony's movement. In time, co-ordination and communication may be developed and improved. It can offer the opportunity for phys cally and otherwise challenged people to experience mobility on a par with their able-bodied peers.

Horse Lovers Club – in training Throughout Thailand many riding clubs are starting to understand the huge benefits of Equine Assisted Therapy. Recently, Horse Lovers Club in Bangkok, along with instructors from Thai Polo Equestrian Club, have trained and coached by riding therapist Sandra Cooper at Horseshoe Point Pattaya. Sandra has trained and helped qualify riding instructors and volunteers for many years in Malaysia, now living in Thailand, a qualification system will be implemented by the end of 2013. A log book for qualifications will be acquired from the UK and adapted for Thailand.

Horse Lovers Club have been learning how to set up a safe environment for their therapy classes. Finding suitable quiet ponies/horses takes time, as does training them to cope with this most important therapy. Training is taught on mounting and dismounting for those with all disabilities, as their needs are very different. How to work and fix a programme with disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, which are the most common disabilities we face.

A month ago Horse Lovers Club worked in a class situation on how to lead therapy horses correctly. If you would like further information on how to attend these courses, or would like to volunteer at Horseshoe Point Pattaya or Horse Lovers Club in Bangkok, please contact Riding Therapist Sandra Cooper on 0868483684 Pattaya or Angela Navoraj