Category Archives: Equestrian Assistance

Equine Therapy: A Personal Experience, Part Five, by Claire Dorotik

I slid off his back and as I hit the ground, me knees buckled, sending me right down to the ground, beneath Nimo. I just sat there. I didn’t want to move. And I couldn’t, really. Sitting under a 3 year old stallion is hardly safe under any circumstances, but just then, I didn’t care. I didn’t feel any fear, and couldn’t stop crying in any event.  I must have been there for almost an hour, and Nimo just stood over me, nuzzling my hair. I had never seen this side of him. He was so concerned and caring, I’d had no idea he had that in him. He didn’t seem to care about the other horses. It was like he knew he, like all the rest of the horses, depended on me, just like one of their own. And if I weren’t ok, they wouldn’t be either.

I don’t think I had ever felt that cared for in my life. It was as if this was the first moment of clarity in a lifetime of confusion. I had trained and shown all sorts of horses, of course, and the years had taught me a lot about horses, and life; still I had never understood just how profoundly intuitive they were. All this time, I thought they didn’t know what I was trying to hide from everybody else. Yet Nimo was trying to tell me he couldn’t not know.

Combined Driver Chester Weber Continues Long-Running Partnership with Charles Owen, Inc.

Combined Driver Chester Weber is sponsored by Charles Owen, Inc., and is a strong believer in the safety and comfort of Charles Owen’s helmets and body protectors. (Photo courtesy of PicsofYou.com)

Ocala, FL (May 12, 2011) – Combined Driver Chester Weber has partnered with Charles Owen, Inc. for many years and is a strong believer in the safety and comfort of Charles Owen’s helmets and body protectors. As the eight-time USEF National Four-In-Hand Combined Driving champion, Weber and his team of award-winning horses competed in the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010 and helped the U.S. team clinch the Silver Medal.

“Charles Owen has been a proud sponsor of Chester Weber and his team for several years now,” said Danielle Santos, Marketing and Public Relations Director for Charles Owen. “Charles Owen produces top quality safety helmets and body protectors with an impressive appearance that riders and drivers want to wear. Chester and his team are perfect examples of how safety can look stylish and traditional.”

Santos added that Charles Owen seeks to sponsor individuals that not only support the brand, but also give back to their sport and community. “Chester is a perfect example of this,” she said, adding that Weber is not only one of the leading drivers in the United States but is also a passionate supporter of driving as well as an active member of many USEF committees and he serves on the USET Foundation Board of Trustees.

Continue reading Combined Driver Chester Weber Continues Long-Running Partnership with Charles Owen, Inc.

USEF Equestrians in Action: New Program Encourages Youth to Volunteer, Offers $1,500 Grant

Photo by Jeannie Blancq Putney/USEF Archives

Lexington, KY – Equestrian youth have a new opportunity to give back to the community – and a chance to win a $1,500 grant.

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Equestrians in Action program tracks youth volunteer hours that are aimed at improving the welfare of the horse or positively promoting equestrian sport. Sponsored by The EQUUS Foundation, the program encourages youth to give back to equestrian sport  –  at horse shows, equine promotional events, equine businesses or organizations, trade fairs, therapeutic riding clinics, horse rescue and 4-H events.

The participant with the most volunteer hours in 2011 (minimum of 150 hours) will earn a $1,500 grant for his or her education or training. All youth have the opportunity to earn one of three certificates depending on their participation level. Those who volunteer at least 50 hours will be awarded a Bronze certificate while youth who volunteer at least 100 hours will receive a Silver certificate. The highest level, the Gold certificate, will go to those who volunteer 150 or more hours. In addition, the top 10 participants will receive special “Top Ten” certificates.

Continue reading USEF Equestrians in Action: New Program Encourages Youth to Volunteer, Offers $1,500 Grant

Equine Therapy: A Personal Experience, Part One, by Claire Dorotik, LMFT

As equine therapy is truly a modality that is best experienced, as opposed to described, sometimes it is helpful to share a personal accounting of a way in which a horse can help a human. Therefore, this blog post is actually an excerpt from my book, ON THE BACK OF A HORSE: Harnessing the Healing Power of the Human-Equine Bond. This is part one in a series.

My introduction to what equine facilitated psychotherapy really is was one that, like most moments of sagacity, left me utterly speechless. Even of more consequence to me was the fact that I had known horses my entire life, having ridden for almost as many years, and been involved in every aspect of the horse business from training, breeding, showing, transporting and mending horses, from the age of five. Yet I had, as many so often do, failed to consider my horses’ capacity for any awareness beyond that of my own.

While I recognized horses were highly intuitive and had even had moments with them that evidenced this, I had never once imagined that they knew more about me, than I knew about me. In fact, it was the other way around – I thought I knew more about them, than they knew about them.

Continue reading Equine Therapy: A Personal Experience, Part One, by Claire Dorotik, LMFT

Luncheon at Port Mayaca’s Driving Trial to Benefit New Handicap Driving Program at VTRC

VTRC's Skippy. Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Client

Loxahatchee, FL – May 4, 2011 – The Spring Horse Driving Trial at Port Mayaca Polo Club, Saturday and Sunday May 14th and 15th, will include a charity luncheon to benefit the new driving program at the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center. The Luncheon will be held Saturday the May 14th during the Dressage and Cones portion of the competition in Okeechobee, FL. The competition will begin at 9 am and the luncheon will be served from 12 until 2pm. The competition is similar to 3 day eventing, including dressage, cones which is similar to the stadium jumping portion, and a cross country portion, including obstacles that will be driven on Sunday starting at 9am.

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the start up of VTRC’s new handicap driving program. The addition of a driving program will allow the center to meet the needs of people who may not be able to ride but will enjoy the camaraderie of the barn and the excitement of competition. VTRC Director of Development Susan Guinan has been committed to starting a driving program at VTRC for sometime. She began driving in the 1980s, and has competed at Gladstone and Devon and many other shows along the east coast. She continued her driving while living in England and was involved with the RDA driving program. She is pleased to be able to bring this opportunity to VTRC.

Continue reading Luncheon at Port Mayaca’s Driving Trial to Benefit New Handicap Driving Program at VTRC

Equine Therapy: Healing from the Inside Out, by Claire Dorotik, MA

While a quick internet search reveals a litany of ways to treat mental illness, and especially trauma, the majority of these methods involve a significant cognitive component, which may not always be the most comfortable thing for a traumatized person to consider. To be sure, one of the strongest concerns of those clients with a traumatic history is having to re-experience what was overwhelming to them in order to feel better. And yet, many experts wonder, how else may they begin to have some reprieve from their symptoms?

But in order to begin the process of healing, trauma demands a comprehensive understanding, just as any other diagnosis would. That is to say that the effects of trauma on an individual are not just housed in the thoughts processes, but rather involve a physiological shift from what was a previous level of functioning. For the person who knows himself as a somewhat calm person who is able to contain himself/herself emotionally, this may mean now feeling quite out of control emotionally.

However, this may also mean having physiological symptoms that are not easily regulated. Imagine waking to a racing heartrate, shallow breathing, a full sweat, and poor orientation. These are just some of trauma’s physiological effects. And as much as the person who experiences this may want relief, talking about it may not resolve things.

Continue reading Equine Therapy: Healing from the Inside Out, by Claire Dorotik, MA

WHIA Partners with Equestrian Aid Foundation for Global Breast Cancer Campaign

The Women’s Horse Industry Association has announced a global partnership with the Equestrian Aid Foundation to raise funds for women affected by breast cancer. The Equestrian Aid Foundation is a 501c3, which provides financial assistance to equestrians, horsemen and equine professionals who are suffering from catastrophic illnesses or injuries. Funding is provided for medical, rehabilitation and other basic needs, such as food and housing.

Called “Ponie Express for Breast”, the campaign consists of trail rides and hikes around the world. The events are open to everyone who wants to support this cause and all proceeds will go directly to women in the equine industry who have been or who are currently dealing with breast cancer.

“This is a great cause and one that we know many people who have been affected by this disease will support. Plus, it’s a fun way to meet other equestrians and at the same time support women in our industry. The Equestrian Aid Foundation helps many people in the equine industry and we are looking forward to helping them raise more funds for their efforts,” states WHIA Executive Director, Catherine Masters.

Continue reading WHIA Partners with Equestrian Aid Foundation for Global Breast Cancer Campaign

Equine Therapy: Where Is It Published? by Claire Dorotik, MA

Although a quick internet search reveals many articles and descriptions of equine therapy, the actual research support for this fascinating experiential modality can be hard to find. This is one of the many reasons that using horses as a therapeutic modality has been criticized. While naysayers have contended that there is no empirical evidence for the efficacy of equine therapy, much of difficulty in refuting this claim comes from the fact that the evidence can be hard to find.

Yet, the truth is, research studies of equine therapy have been published in seven different peer reviewed journals, both nationally and internationally. And these publications are not only specific to animal assisted therapy, but devoted to the understanding of mental health. Let’s take a look at the list:

EAGALA Model specific

Schultz, P., Remick-Barlow, G., & Robbins, L. (2007). Equine-assisted psychotherapy: A mental health promotion/intervention modality for children who have experienced intra-family violence. Health & Social Care in the Community 15(3), 265-271.

Trotter, K., Chandler, C., Goodwin-Bond, D., & Casey, J. (2008).  A comparative study of the efficacy of group equine assisted counseling with at-risk children and adolescents.  Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, Vol. 3(3), 254-284.

General Equine Assisted Psychotherapy services (other models utilized or not model specific)

Frewin, K. & Gardiner, B. (2005).  New age or old sage? A review of equine assisted psychotherapy. The Australian Journal of Counselling Psychology, 6, pp13-17.

Kaiser, L., Spence, L. J., Lavergne, A. G., & Bosch, K. L. (2004). Can a week of therapeutic riding make a difference? A pilot study. Anthrozoos, 17, 63-72.

Klontz, B. T., Bivens, A., Leinart, D. & Klontz, T. (2007).  The effectiveness of equine-assisted experiential therapy: Results of an open clinical trial.  Society and Animals, 15 (2007), 257-267.

Scheidhacker, M., Friedrich, D., & Bender, W. (2002). About the treatment of anxiety disorders by psychotherapeutic riding: Long term observations and results of an experimental clinical study. Krankenhauspsychiatrie, 13, 145-152.

Zugich, M., Klontz, T., & Leinart, D. (2002).  The miracle of equine therapy.  Counselor Magazine, 3(6), 22-27.

It is important to understand that equine therapy, like any other relatively nascent therapeutic intervention, should be held to the same standards as every other form of clinical treatment. Yet, those in the mental health field do often rely heavily on both empirical evidence and case studies when making treatment decisions. And while there is no shortage of anecdotal support for the therapeutic value of work with horses, it is comforting to know that there is also sound clinical support for this line of work.

Equine Therapy: A Potful of Projections, by Claire Dorotik, MA

“In my experience, horses don’t want anything to do with people.” “All horses want to do is eat all the time.” “There is no way horses can tell what is going on with people.” These are just a few of the criticisms the field of equine therapy has encountered over the years. And these have come, despite the tremendous growth, and recent research supporting the use of horses as a therapeutic modality. However, no new treatment, therapy or method is without its growing pains, and what is unique about equine therapy is that horses are typically outside of the realm of understanding of most people.

Although horses have been a very integral part of our society, and have represented many things to man, the understanding of them has always been a subject of debate. From the early “break the spirit” methods to the now more popular “natural horsemanship” movement, discussing horse training is like discussing politics — everybody has their own opinions.

Yet while this can often lead to festive argument, it does not denote an understanding of the horse. After all, the horse is a herd animal, and our common observation of them does not involve the perspective of their natural environment. As an example, the belief that horses want nothing to do with people, and when placed in a corral with them, prefer to isolate, is not supported by any cases of equine isolation in the wild. Quite the contrary, horses avoid isolating at all costs, and instead it is used as a form of reprimand. Another misunderstanding is that horses — prey animals — have premeditated behavior. Again, horses being ruled primarily through the limbic system are, for the most part, instinctive and reflexive in their actions. They do not “plan” in the sense that we do; instead they react to stimuli in their environment, such as threats of harm, dominant or aggressive behavior from another horse, and maternal instinct.

Continue reading Equine Therapy: A Potful of Projections, by Claire Dorotik, MA

Healthy Horse Tip – When Dealing with Horses – Get It in Writing

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You may know that the Equine Activity Liability Act says that you “ride at your own risk.”  However, liability protections do not apply to all causes of risk and all equine activities.  A written liability release in any equine related activity is therefore essential for liability protection.  A properly written and presented liability release provides advantages and protections not offered by the law.  For example, a release provides an opportunity to receive, in writing, confirmation that the signer has read, understood, and agrees to accept the terms of your limitation liability policy.  This alone may even deter the signer from filing a lawsuit.

A successfully written release includes a variety of essential elements including, but not limited to:

Parties:  The parties to the release should be carefully identified.
Signature:  The signature line should require the signer’s full name, address, and phone number.  The signer should indicate if they are signing on their own behalf, or on behalf of their minor child, ward, heirs, representatives, and/or assigns.  A minor signed release is not legally enforceable.
Risks:  A description of some risks inherent in dealing with or around horses is recommended to further reaffirm those risks.  The list must clearly indicate that the risks listed are merely a sampling and not intended to be an all-inclusive representation.
Waiver:  This section expressly provides that the signers, on their own behalf, and/or on behalf of others, agree to waive any legal rights to sue for claims arising from their involvement in the equine related activity.
State’s Law:  The enforceability of the release may differ depending on the applicable state law.  Therefore, providing which state’s law applies explicitly in the release prevents a debate on that issue.
Equine Act:  The release must include the WARNING notice exactly as it is stated in the applicable state’s Equine Activity Liability Act.
Specifics:  Many releases include provisions specific to the drafter’s needs.  For example, some releases ask for the rider’s prior riding experience, authorization for medical attention, agreement to wear a certified helmet, and the rider’s insurance information.

Continue reading Healthy Horse Tip – When Dealing with Horses – Get It in Writing