Psychotherapy: What is EAP and EAL?

Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) introduces horses experimentally for the emotional growth and learning. It consists of a sort of collaboration between a therapist, an equine expert and horses - seen as other therapists - with customers to achieve the goals of the treatment. Due to its intensity and effectiveness, it is considered a short-term or short approach therapy.

EAP is the "Nature experience". This means that participants learn about themselves and the other participants in the activities with the horses, and then process (or discuss) feelings, behaviors and patterns. EAP has the additional advantage of using horses, dynamic and powerful living beings that catalyze our experiences, our living, making us getting more quickly to conclusions and solutions very drastic and important in our lives.

Not all programs or people who use horses in the practice of therapies can be considered psychotherapists assisted by horses. In the EAGALA model, only licensedtherapists (in the United States.UU.) and mental health professionals who are duly qualified (outside the United States.UU.) must be involved. The focus of the EAP is not horse riding. The EAP approach contemplates the development of "foot to land" activities with horses.

Non-verbal communication, creative thinking, problem solving, leadership,responsibility-focused job, teamwork, relationships, confidence and attitude are examples of tools used and developed by the EAP.

EAP is a powerful and effective therapeutic approach that has an incredible impact on people, young people, families and groups. EAP treats a variety of mental health diseases and human development needs such as behavior problems, attention deficit disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, substances abuse, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and communication needs.

Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) is similar to EAP, but it focuses on learning, that is on educational goals of specific skills defined by the individual or the group, such as improved product sales for a company, leadership skills in a training group, motivation in a project development or company mission.

There are no limits for the EAP and EAL potential fields of applications! For more information about the possibilities, contact us at Club Hipica Canaria.

What is hippotherapy?

It is a therapy that uses the horse as a natural tool to get physical, psychological and social rehabilitation. This is achieved through an interrelation between the patient, the horse and the therapist. The result is an improvement, enjoyment and learning.

His major contribution is due to certain characteristics that the horse transmits through his spine and his movements:

- He transmits his body temperature (38,8 ° C) until the pelvic zone and legs.
- His rhythmic impulse (90 to 110 impulses per minute) is carried to the pelvic zone of the patient and goes through the spine until reaches the head.
- He passes on a locomotion pattern equivalent to the physiological pattern of humans. A series of three-dimensional oscillations such as forward and backward, lifting, lowering and displacements are recorded in the brain and are automated with the time.

Development of Hippotherapy sessions

The first step of the hippotherapy sessions will be to establish a relationship between the patient and the animal.

This initial phase is of utmost importance, since it should generate the necessary climate of confidence between the two. If the patient does not trust the horse, it may not be relaxed about it and therefore the therapy will be ineffective.

In these first contacts the patient must approach the horse, stroking him, feeding him... the physical contact is very important to make the person aware of the volume of the animal and of his body.

Division of Hippotherapy

Hippotherapy: It is used with people with neuromotor and psychological dysfunctions.

Therapeutic riding: It applies to people with different kind of dysfunctions, at mental, speech and social level.

Techniques

Passive hippotherapy: The patient rides with a few staples and adapts himself passively to the movement of the horse with almost no action from his side. This technique may require back riding.

Back Riding: In this technique the therapist sits behind the patient to provide him support and align him during the ride. The horse is led and he only works on walk.

Active hippotherapy: In Hippotherapy the patient rides without the saddle with two staples. The sessions run individually and last about 30 minutes. Neuromuscular exercises are performed to stimulate a greater normalization of muscles tone, balance, psychomotor coordination and body symmetry. The patient is not able yet to drive the horse on his own, so he must be led by a therapist and an assistance while walking and trotting.

Therapeutic riding: This technique joins the therapeutic aim with the teaching of riding as a sport. In addition to neuromuscular and gymnastic exercises in combination with therapeutic games, the patient learns to use the saddle and the stirrups to become an active rider. Here the patient can lead the horse on the track on his own. This technique is apllied in walk, trot and gallop. Therapeutic sessions can be done in group and last approximately 45 minutes.

Benefits of horse-assisted therapy / Total rehabilitation

It is a method that allows the strengthening of muscles and restore lost mobility.
Very effective in people who have sensory problems (blind, deaf, mute). This therapy often manages to save the person from a surgical operation, since the muscles that are stimulated by the riding are the same used to walk
It improves balance and coordination.
It helps to resolve emotional problems in people. It helps them in the proper handling of aggressive impulses, it increases their self-confidence, self-esteem, adaptability, the cooperation and sense of responsibility, it strengthens the attention and mental concentration as well as the ability to communicate.
The improvements are appreciated in a very short time.
Having control over the horse makes the rider-patient feel more determined in decision-making, while enjoying the horse riding.
It makes changes both in people with and without dishabilities.

Diseases helped by hippotherapy

Cerebral paralisys (spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, hypotonic)
Psychomotor tardiness
Multiple sclerosis
Down syndrome. In children with Down syndrome, the equine therapy allows them to make decisions, be more independent and learn to have a total control over the horse
Torticollis
Scoliosis (less than 40°)
Low back pain
Sequence of cranium-cephalic traumas with motor dysfunction
Microcephaly
Hydrocephaly
sequence of heart attacks, affecting the brain system with motor dysfunction
Vegetative cardiovascular syndrome
Chronic bronchial syndrome
Autism
Minimal brain dysfunction
Behavioural problems
Problems of attention and mental concentration
Language problems
Neurosis, psychosis, schizophrenia
Nervous Anorexia, Bulimia, addictions
Parkinson syndrome

Collaboration with: APAELP,www.apaelp.org, CAMFS Telde, APADIS, Tutelary Canary Foundation, CAMP Queen Sofia, City Council Santa Lucia, City Council Las Palmas.

Individual sessions last 1 hour. For a quote, contact Solé Lenassi - Equinoterapeuta-(T: 670420776).