Equine Facilitated Therapy

The Westwind Academy is pleased to be offering ground-based Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) and Hippo-Therapy at our facility. There are a variety of programs available for different needs.

What is EFT?

Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) incorporates horses experientially for emotional growth and learning. It is a collaborative effort between a registered therapist and a horse professional working with the clients and horses to address treatment goals. EFT is experiential in nature. This means that participants learn about themselves, others and the world around them by participating in activities with the horses and then processing (or discussing) feelings, behaviors, and patterns. This approach has been compared to other treatment interventions used by therapists, treatment facilities, and human development approaches around the world. However, EFT has the added advantage of utilizing horses, dynamic and powerful living beings that provide immediate and unbiased responses to the clients. Not all therapy programs using horses practice Equine Facilitated Therapy. Registered clinical professionals need to be involved for it to be considered a therapy. As such, the Westwind Rodeo Academy EFT program employs a registered behavioral specialist.

The focus of EFT is not riding nor horsemanship, but involves setting up ground activities involving the horses, which will require the client or group to apply certain skills. These include non-verbal communication identification, assertiveness, creative thinking and problem solving. Leadership, work ethic, taking responsibility, teamwork, confidence, and attitude are also examples of the tools utilized and developed by EFT. EFT is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach that has an incredible impact on individuals, youth, couples, families, groups and corporate teams. EFT addresses a variety of mental health and human development issues including behavioral challenges, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, depression and anxiety as well as relationship and boundary issues. To enroll in our EFT program please contact our office at 403-892-8693 for more information.

What is Hippo-Therapy?

Hippotherapy is a modality that uses the multidimensional movement of the horse (from the Greek word "hippos" which means horse). Specially trained individuals and physical, occupational and speech therapists use this modality for clients who have movement dysfunction/challenges and/or other special needs. Historically, the therapeutic benefits of riding the horse were recognized as early as 460 BC. The use of the horse as therapy has evolved throughout Europe, the United States and Canada.

Hippotherapy uses activities while riding the horse that are meaningful to the client. This takes place in a controlled environment where graded sensory input can elicit appropriate adaptive responses from the client. Specific riding skills are not necessarily taught, but rather a foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing. This foundation can then be generalized to a wide range of daily activities.

Why the Horse?

The horse's walk provides sensory input through movement which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive. The resultant movement responses in the client are similar to human movement patterns of the pelvis while walking. Clients respond enthusiastically to this enjoyable learning experience in a natural setting. Physically, hippo-therapy can improve balance, posture, mobility and function. Hippo-therapy may also affect psychological, cognitive, behavioral and communication functions for clients of all ages. Clients who may benefit from hippo-therapy can have a variety of diagnoses: examples include Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Developmental Delay, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Autism and Learning or Language Disabilities. However, hippo-therapy is not for every client. Each potential client must be evaluated on an individual basis by specially trained professionals.

EAGALA Trainer Patti Mandrel, M.Ed., LPC, EAPIII, offering the Westwind Rodeo Academy equine facilitators "Hercules and Paint" a refresher course of their role in helping the clients. Patty recently conducted an EAGALA Part 1 Seminar for the Westwind Equine Academy EFT Division.