Horse Power: Equine Therapy for ADHD

4 Comments: Horse Power: Equine Therapy for ADHD

1. I can attest to this, and perhaps add a little of the “why”. Horses are natural biofeedback machines, if you learn to speak their language. If you are anxious, angry, stressed, or agitated in any way, they will know it and show it. As herd animals who use flight response for survival, horses mirror your inner feelings and thoughts. If you are worried, the horse assumes he/she should be worried, too. So you must learn to calm yourself and breath easy…just like meditation. And you must learn to read the horse’s facial expressions and body language, because you’re not going to get words. And you must learn to express yourself that way, too. Horses do learn many human words, but tone and body language are more important to them.

   Working with and talking to horses requires calm, patience, mindfulness and focus…all of which we know benefit those of us who subscribe to this site. Horses will teach you how to self-regulate. There are loads of great books to start with, and it’s a great idea to read and learn about horse speak before you try it with a horse. A fantastic first read would be Monty Roberts, The Man Who Listens To Horses.

   You don’t have to buy a horse for your child or yourself, unless that makes sense for you. There are lots of equine therapy stables…look for one in your area. You can start with a therapeutic program, and offer to groom and clean stalls once you get comfortable around horses.

   I’m an adult with ADD who had horses long before I was diagnosed (at 50!). I’ve bred, raised, trained and competed Morgans since I was 25 when I got my first horse. Green horse, green rider (not an ideal combination, but I’ve never been one to do things in a conventional way). I lost her last year at 33 years young, and what an amazing journey! I’ve had as many as 21 horses on my farm, and today I have 9 older retirees. I teach horse speak to people, mostly to train farm employees caring for the horses, or just to inform kids and visitors to my farm how best to behave around them.

   Most importantly, there is nothing so wonderfully quiet and peaceful as an hour spent brushing a horse.

2. AnneHW
   Thank you so much for your story, you’ve brought back so many wonderful memories for me… I could listen to you forever! Thank you so so much 😅

3. I thought I’d see all kinds of feedback from horse owners here. So let me start because I’m one of them.

   Not everyone is fortunate to be able to have a horse, and not everyone would want one even if he/she could. It’s a big commitment, but the people who love horses will tell you everything about it is worthwhile, including shoveling out stalls to getting up early on winter mornings to go outside in freezing temperatures to make sure they have their morning hay. (Full disclosure: my wonderful husband has been taking over this winter due to me having problems with tendinitis.)

   We’ve had horses for about 20 years now, and I had a couple when I was a kid. I had begged my parents for a horse for as long as I could remember, and finally I got my first one when I was around 11 or 12. I rode all the time, and to be honest, I’m amazed I never got hurt badly because I didn’t have a clue! But, I sure had fun.

   I met my husband when I was in my early 30s, and I hadn’t been around a horse in decades. We were trying to find something we could enjoy together, and when he mentioned riding lessons, I jumped in with both feet. And before long, we each had our own horse! What a learning experience that’s been.

   I’m going to be 67 this year (2019), and I have the horse I could only have dreamed of when I was a kid. I got him as a yearling, and he change my life. He taught me so many things, like how little I really knew about horses! But, he also taught me patience, and that took me a long time to learn. I know there were times when I expected too much from him. I even lost my temper a few times, I’m sorry to say, but he made it clear to me very quickly that I wasn’t going to get anywhere by being upset. (Don’t worry, he was never mistreated, I just got emotional, and horses don’t feel sorry for you.)

   He’ll be 16 in May this year, and I pray he lasts another 16 years. When life has been overwhelming I’ve been able to get on his back and ride down a trail, just feeling his steady movement, and listening to him breath and snort every so often. When I’ve been happy and just wanted to enjoy an afternoon alone with him, he’s been my partner. I started him, and I was the first one to ride him. What an accomplishment for someone who never felt good enough or smart enough because training a horse is all about hanging in there, and doing things over and over again. That’s something most people with ADHD really struggle with, but I did it!

   And horses are always about balance, whether it’s riding, loading them on a trailer, or helping them when they’re sick. Some of my proudest moments have been because of my horse. He reflects my behavior, and when he does well it’s because I’ve done well.

   1. AnneHW, That was absolutely beautiful. Our daughter is 10 and loves the idea of horses. We have tried to get her a dog and although that has proved to be a little challenging raising, our daughter has risen to the occasion of feeding, cleaning and responding to her needs. I really think she would like the serenity of a horse, or riding. We will definitely be looking into it. Thank you.