Facts about Equine Therapy

1. 07

   Mounting and dismounting a horse during therapy sessions engages 35 different muscle groups, making it comparable to moderate-intensity exercise for rehabilitation patients.

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2. 06

   Oxytocin levels increase by approximately 30 percent in both horses and humans during equine therapy sessions, promoting bonding and stress reduction through biochemical synchronization.

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3. 05

   Equine therapy participants show significant improvements in social interaction and communication skills, with autistic children demonstrating measurable increases in verbal engagement after 12 weeks of structured horse-assisted activities.

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4. 04

   Hippotherapy, a form of equine therapy using the horse's natural three-dimensional movement, was formally recognized by the American Hippotherapy Association in 1969 as a legitimate physical rehabilitation method.

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5. 03

   Therapeutic riding programs have documented improvements in core strength and balance for individuals with cerebral palsy, with some participants showing measurable gains in trunk stability within 8-12 weeks of consistent sessions.

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6. 02

   PATH Intl., the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, certifies over 900 equine therapy instructors across North America who work with individuals experiencing physical, emotional, and cognitive disabilities.

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7. 01

   A 2015 study in the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science found that heart rates of equine therapy participants decreased by an average of 12 beats per minute during horse interactions.

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