The Trinidad and Tobago Equestrian Association (TTEA) recently introduced “Equestrian Spirit”.
The initiative was designed as a therapeutic programme for the physically differently-abled children in the country.
The programme is catering to students of primary school age (up to 11) and assists them in building confidence, self-esteem and self-image.
Traditional therapy usually does not focus enough on these areas, but using a horse as a tool provides a multi-disciplinary approach. The interaction between horse and human allows for the therapeutic powers of the horse to work on all levels–physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.
Horses have the ability to break through the wall of isolation and frustration which is frequently present in the lives of the differently-abled and can provide them with a new found sense of freedom and empowerment.
In 2016, the TTEA started providing therapeutic riding for the physically differently-abled children from the Princess Elizabeth Centre, Ariapita Avenue, Port of Spain.
They use hippotherapy, a form of physical, occupational and speech therapy that uses equine movement to develop and enhance neurological and physical functioning by channelling the movement of a horse.
Simply put, the rocking motion of a horse’s gait mimics the natural movement of the pelvis during walking, so riding is uniquely able to train the body to move in the right way, and to develop healthy muscles and coordination.
The TTEA has been providing horse therapy to the Cascade School for the Deaf since 2014, and the programme has been a major success with enthusiastic students making significant progress.
Equine therapy assists with the building of self-worth and improves the communication skills of students with or without hearing challenges. It also helps develop social skills, impulse control and emotional management, decreases isolation, sets perspective and helps children learn their limits and boundaries.
The riding programmes are free as the TTEA provides horses, instructors and side walkers for both schools every week.
Anyone wishing to volunteer to help the children and instructors or willing to make a contribution to help keep the programme alive can contact TTEA Programme Coordinator Andrea Leigh at andleigh26@hotmail.com.
Shelly Nelson has been a volunteer since early last year, and she decided to maintain her focus on the Equestrian Spirit programme for her “Beauty with a Purpose” project when she entered this year’s edition of the Miss World Trinidad and Tobago pageant.
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