If you or a loved one are involved in equine therapy, there is a chance of injury based on the fact that you are working with and/or riding horses and ponies. Your chance of injury is reduced if you follow your instructors directions carefully and if you are in reasonably good physical shape. Back, leg, hip, foot and hand injuries are all related to working with horses.
History
Equine Assisted Therapy or EAT is a treatment modality that uses horses and ponies to help participants grow emotionally. According to Equine Psychotherapy, it is often used to help troubled children and teenagers. Individuals involved in this type of therapy learn to communicate their feelings and emotions non verbally to the horses they work with. Horses are expressive and can mirror the behaviors of others around them including humans.
EAT vs. Horsemanship
There is a difference between equine therapy and horsemanship. EAT focuses on therapeutic interactions between your child and a horse that builds relationship skills that can be applied to other areas of his life. Communication, responsibility and trust are created between human and horse. Horsemanship is the science and knowledge that focuses on riding and athletic skill mastery that allows horse and rider to compete in related activities including racing, dressage and showmanship.
Risk of Injury
According to Dr. Pat Bona of Holistic Horse, if your son has hip pain after riding it does not necessarily mean the two are connected. Your son may have poor posture, may not be fit or have an underlying injury. If your son does not exercise, and is involved with horses and riding, Dr Bona suggests focusing on exercises that strengthen his core muscles and increase flexibility. These exercises will improve his strength and posture. If the horse your son is working with has a wide back, he may feel a muscle pulling sensation in the groin and hip flexors. Suggest that he speak with the instructors in the EAT program to see if there is another animal available with a more narrow back. The instructor may also be able to suggest specific stretching exercises that have been useful to other participants in the past. This, in addition to exercise and stretching should be helpful. If you son continues to have hip pain, see your health care provider.
Core Exercises
The experts at the Mayo Clinic remind that strong core muscles make almost every physical activity easier while a weak core makes you susceptible to poor posture, low back pain and other muscle injuries. You don't need special equipment or a gym to do a core strengthening exercise. Lay on your back and put you feet on a wall so that your knees and hips are bent at a 90 degree angle. Tighten your abdominal muscles and raise your head. Push ups and abdominal crunches are also core exercises. Another suggestion is to sit up straight or stand up. Pull your belly button in toward your spine without holding your breath and release.
