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Healing through Horses
by
Janice Terra
I had very little
knowledge of what spina bifida was until I read the excellent article
written by Dr. Jack Fletcher that appeared in May-June issue of this newsletter
(SBATGC). His words opened my eyes and opened my heart. I did not realize
that spina bifida presented its hosts with such a broad menu beyond the
obvious.
As I continued to read the article, I became filled with excitement. You
see, "Hippotherapy" can help with so many of the "selections"
on the SB menu.
Hippotherapy (Hippo is Greek for horse) has been used throughout the country
for a number of years in rehabilitation programs. Health care providers
regularly see an improvement in muscle tone, balance coordination and
range of motion in clients who participate in such a program.
The movement of the horse when he is walking stimulates the walking of
a human, and thus the rider's muscles and body get to experience that
movement without having to generate it. This helps beautifully with the
mind-muscle connection.
Let us now venture
even deeper into the healing process of the horse. Quantum physics has
proven that the entire universe is comprised of nothing but energy, and
that energy is in constant motion, or vibration. Each organ and part of
your body also has it's own vibration. What separates you from your chair
and your clothes is the rate of vibration. Each organ and part of your
of your body also has it's own vibration. When a rider is on a horse,
the horse (large transformers that they are) assists the rider in altering
his frequency, so that they may experience a more harmonious union. The
horse cannot be in a state of harmony without the rider "harmonizing"
as well. It would be like a symphony orchestra with everyone playing a
different tune. Cacophony would result-not harmony.
In the deepest recesses
of our being resides our need for balance and harmony. The horse reaches
into our very soul and helps pull theses gifts out for us.
As mentioned earlier, the walking movement of the horse replicates the
walking movement of our body. When was the last time that you experienced
that movement without generating it? It was in the womb. As your mother
walked this was the movement that you felt. The womb experience was the
only time in your experience that you lived in a state of total bliss.
You lacked nothing. Wanted nothing. Were never hungry, cold, or hot. You
were totally supported. Totally protected. And surrounded by unlimited
peace and joy. Your body and your soul experience this again when you
ride quietly as a walk. Your brain waves change. Your sub-conscious momentarily
relives the experiences of total perfections and bliss. And in the womb,
SB is not a "problem".
Horses, being the versatile healers that they are additionally lend aid
to us in the neurological department through the avenue of riding lessons.
They are especially adept at getting us to pay attention, focus and follow
directions. This list is a compendium of what transpires. In a lesson
situation, the student is turned loose on the horse. No one is leading
the horse. No one is by their side. It is them and the horse. The horse
will only respond if given the current command or stimulus. An incorrect
movement from the rider will produce an incorrect response.
This is so great!
In an academic situation
if a student gives a wrong answer, the worst that can happen, usually,
is that they may get a low grade and feel bad about that. In an academic
situation as a student loses focus the worst that can happen is that he
may be reprimanded (again) by his teacher, and he may get a bad grade.
In an academic situation if a student has trouble learning, the worst
that can happen is- you get the gist of this
In a riding lesson, the horse is the real teacher, not the helper human.
The student is astride 1200 pounds of pure muscle. Twelve hundred pounds,
by the way, can pretty much do whatever it wants. Fortunately, for our
sake, they usually do what we want. The point is this: When astride a
horse you are carried to your primal instincts. Your deepest, most profound
instinct is that of survival, which requires no conscious intention on
your part to be called into play.
When riding a horse, if the student should give the wrong "answer"
(command), the horse will respond accordingly. This can easily make the
rider feel out of control, because the horse is not doing as he intended.
By the way, being on 1200 pounds that you feel you cannot control is akin
to being on a runaway freight train. This will pretty well kick in the
survival instinct. The rider progresses from simply wanting to get things
right to, "You know, I would like to live through this experience".
Big difference in motivation.
I would like to add here that most lesson horses are very reliable and
safe. It is the student's perception of lack of control that frightens
him. The horse is a benign and loving teacher.So,
if the student doesn't pay attention - the horse won't respond. If the
student loses focus - the horse will stop responding. Wrong answer (trouble
learning) - wrong response.
One of the beauties
of this is that the student receives instant positive or negative reinforcement.
Psychologists long ago determined that immediate gratification or punishment
produced accelerated learning patterns. I have seen children with ADD
go from failing one semester, to receiving straight "A"s the
very next after using Hippotherapy. It is beautiful to watch.
There are a couple of good riding programs in the Houston area. Look for
a facility that has ramps for wheelchair bound clients. For ambulatory
riding programs and recommendations, you can contact Janice Terra (281)
705-8188. If calling an unknown stable, I recommend that you make sure
their program will accommodate your needs.
Namiste,
my friends, until next time...
Janice
Terra
has had over twenty-seven years experience with horses. She has
been called "The Lady Horse Whisperer of Texas". Janice has
developed a unique exercise program for "Equisizing" which was
named one of the best programs in Houston by The Houston Press in
1999. She also conducts powerful riding meditations for all levels
of riders, including the "never ridden". To experience
the unique programs offered by Janice Terra: call 281-705-8188
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