4-H T E A M Therapeutic Equestrian Activity Member

Benefits of Equine Activity

Muscular Strength
Participants develop and strengthen muscles by performing physical tasks with the horse. The horse stimulates the rider's pelvis and trunk in a manner that closely resembles the normal gait (walk) of an individual, working specific muscle groups.

Motor Development
Participants have an opportunity to explore movement patterns and develop skills. The quality and quanity of movement experiences relates to the development of movement patterns such as walking, running, and jumping.

Balance and Rhythm
Participants develop the ability to maintain gross (large) and fine (small) motor balance and to move more rhythmically with the horse. Participants become involved in interpreting and reacting to the horse's movements.

Direction
Participants learn and practice responding to right, left, up, down, forward, and backwards. Activities focusing on directing the horse in a specific direction are used to aid the student in developing sensitivity to directionality of his/her body and space.

Body Localization
Participants learn and practice responding to right, left, up, down, forward, and backwards. Activities focusing on directing the horse in a specific direction are used to aid the student in developing sensitivity to directionality of his/her body and space.

Health and Hygiene
Participants can learn, practice and develop an understanding of the principles for health and hygiene. In caring for horses (i.e. grooming) participants are led to understand and utilize good habits.

Time orientation
Participants develop an increased awareness of time concepts by involving him/her in determining feeding time, exercise time, and resting time for the horse. Participants develop an awareness of the effect of weather and seasonal changes on riding activities. Individuals learn to anticipate riding activities based on weather conditions.

Comprehension
Participants develop the ability to use judgement and reasoning in riding and working with the horse. This enhances his/her ability to use judgement and reasoning when dealing/interacting with situations and changes in the environment.

Problem-solving
Participants have an opportunity to learn and practice the process of problem-solving. Problem solving occurs when the participant is working to accomplish a specific goal/skill.

Perception
Participants interact with their environment through feeling, hearing, seeing, smelling, and tasting. The barn is a unique environment with a variety of shapes, objects, noises, and smells.