Equine Therapy

Majestic, serene and beautiful, the calm presence of horses has been proven to bring about both physical and mental health benefits to people with a variety of different conditions.

Used for both children and adults with developmental, physical, cognitive, and emotional disabilities, therapeutic horse riding has been recognised for many years to be hugely beneficial as a means of developing skills, while at the same time being a fun and healthy outdoor activity.

Festina Lente is an equestrian centre in Wicklow which offers horse riding lessons to every age and ability but also specialises in therapeutic riding.

CEO, Dr Jill Carey, says the nature of the animals combined with their ability to connect with riders, makes them the perfect companion and therapist for people with all kinds of issues.

“Therapeutic riding gently and rhythmically moves the rider’s body in a manner similar to a human gait so those with mobility problems discover a new freedom in movement,” she says. “Motor functions are also improved by this unique and enjoyable therapy. And the warmth and three-dimensional movement of the horse is transmitted through the rider’s body, gradually making it more relaxed and supple, reducing spasms and improving balance, mobility, posture, and co-ordination, strengthening muscles, increasing circulation and promoting better overall health.

“Therapeutic riding also increases concentration and improves learning skills, so riders are gently challenged and are rewarded with a sense of achievement and will experience a general feeling of well-being, better self-esteem and self-confidence.”

Carey says that for those with mental or emotional disabilities, the unique relationship formed with their horse can lead to increased confidence, patience, emotional well-being and relaxation.

“The sense of independence found on horseback benefits all our clients,” she says. “Structured riding sessions are done under the supervision of our specially trained and qualified Therapeutic Riding coaches, with the assistance of trained leaders and horses. The lessons are designed to encourage participation and the development of individual abilities, with specific goals designed for each rider and our coaches can provide reports for their clients and their doctors.”

Sinead Bayliss can relate to this as her daughter Lara has benefitted greatly from lessons at Festina Lente and although she got involved in the classes by chance, has never looked back.

“As the mother of three, when my children were young, horse riding was not something which had ever crossed my mind,” she says. “I was busy trying to encourage my anxious six-year-old to play GAA, football or anything which would get him out and help build up his confidence. Then one morning, I was at a mother’s coffee group, when one of the mums mentioned that her kids had started horse riding in Festina Lente and said how much they were enjoying it.

“She invited us to tag along with them and have a look around and to be honest, I only went out of nosiness and because it was local. I had never been to a stable before, and don’t really know what I was expecting but it was definitely not the fun, welcoming atmosphere that seems to permeate around Festina Lente. There were lots of kids and young adults around and I had expected my little guy to be totally intimidated by all the big, unpredictable horses and want to leave immediately. But surprisingly, he was fascinated by it all and I had put his name down on the waiting list for lessons before we left.”
She says right from the start she loved the atmosphere and the ‘oasis of calm’ at the equestrian centre, which also has a walled garden.

“There were people of all ages and abilities learning, helping, leading, grooming, chatting and laughing and it felt like a really nice place to be,” she says. “As soon as Owen (now 14) got a slot and started lessons, it quickly became the thing he looked forward to most. And in fact, the pressure started to move from fortnightly lessons to weekly ones. And then, hot on his heels was his younger brother (Thomas, now 11), who after much pestering got to piggyback on the back of Owen’s slot.

“It was having such a positive effect on the boys that I decided to put my daughter’s name down for their much sought-after therapeutic riding programme. At this point, she was only 18 months old, but there was a lengthy waiting list and I reckoned, she would get a place when she was starting school.”

Sinead’s daughter, Lara (now, 9) was born with a condition which compromised her spine, so she has very little sensation and no power at all from the waist down. Her mother was naturally worried about allowing her to sit on a horse, but she says, from the very first moment, she was completely hooked.

“Just a few days after her second birthday I got a call from Festina Lente, offering her a therapeutic riding slot to start the next week,” she says. “I was both thrilled and devastated because at that stage, Lara couldn’t sit unaided, so I didn’t know how she would stay on a horse. I explained this to them and asked if I could defer her slot, but they said to bring her along and they would try to figure something out.

“So we turned up on the day with Lara in her teeny tiny wheelchair. I carried her into the area and sat her on a rug on the back of the gentlest horse in the world and with me holding her on one side, a riding instructor holding her on the other side and a helper leading the horse, we slowly walked her around the arena. Not only was it a huge achievement for her, but she loved every minute of it and had a look of sheer joy on her face – she couldn’t believe she was riding a horse. This was something she had watched her brothers do and now she could do it too, she was thrilled.

“It was a real wake-up call for me as I had nearly stood in the way of this wonderful experience for her by underestimating both Lara and Festina Lente. And now, eight years later, she still rides there every week (as do her brothers) and it has become an important part of her therapy along with physio and OT.”

Sinead says that Lara’s riding lessons were key to improving her core strength, balance, posture and confidence.

“Lara can now sit on the horse with a minimum amount of support,” she says. “It has been really great, and it is also one of the few sports all three of them can do together as the fact that she is a full-time wheelchair user makes no difference when it comes to riding. The boys now volunteer at Festina Lente and once a year we try to organise a family ride because there is nothing funnier for kids than watching their parents try and fail miserably at something, they are really good at themselves.

“Unfortunately, COVID has changed things and although the boys can still ride (when restrictions allow) as they can tack up themselves, Lara has been grounded for the time being as she needs her horse to have a leader for safety reasons and a coach to walk alongside her, neither of which are possible with social distancing.

“So she is currently in the supported helper programme (again when restrictions allow) and is learning how to groom and lead a horse, she helps with the feeds and is learning about equine care. It is fun and interesting, but she really can't wait to get back on a horse again.”

For more information visit www.festinalente.ie