About Equine Facilitated Therapy

Equine Facilitated Therapy (EFT) utilises the horse as therapy for the disabled. Physical and occupational therapists treat patients at a therapeutic riding centre because the horse's movement cannot be duplicated by a piece of equipment in a clinical setting.

For the rider, the horse's three-dimensional movement provides a gentle rhythmic motion, very similar to the action of the pelvis during normal walking. The motion offers many benefits including mobilisation of the pelvis and improving balance and co-ordination.

During EFT, the rider might also be actively moved in a developmental sequence on top of the horse to further work on balance and equilibrium responses.

Equine Facilitated Therapy is physically challenging but patients enjoy working in an outdoor setting with horses as their therapeutic instruments.