What is equine therapy and does the NDIS fund it?

Animal therapy can support people on a physical, mental, emotional and/or social level through the involvement of an animal in a therapy setting. Equine therapy, in particular, has been growing in popularity due to its healing and calming effects and great benefits on people's physical and mental health. In this article, we will explore what equine therapy is, who and how it can help as well as whether you could cover equine therapy costs using your NDIS plan.  

“A horse that has a kind eye, it doesn't ask you to speak, it doesn't ask you to do something you don't wanna do. It's that gentle kind eye.” Olwen from Riding for the Disabled (RDA) says.

“[The client] seems to develop a rapport with the horse.”

What is equine therapy?

Equine therapy involves various activities with horses that help improve physical and mental health of the therapy participants. The activities most participants engage in range from riding and leading all the way to grooming and feeding, all while closely supervised by a trained professional such as an occupational therapist or a psychologist. 

Who can use equine therapy?

Equine therapy can help with a number of physical and mental health conditions, but it is most commonly used for supporting people with:

• ADD/ADHD
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Cerebral palsy
• Developmental delay
• Down syndrome
• Movement dysfunction
• Post traumatic stress disorder
• Spina bifida
• Traumatic brain injury
• Visual impairment

Equine therapy has been proven to be particularly effective for people with autism. Equine therapy is set in an environment that feels relaxed and non-judgemental, so can help people feel comfortable using and developing their social skills while improving overall wellbeing.

How does equine therapy work?

Equine therapy is very effective due to the particular nature of horses - they can mirror human emotions and react similarly to us when placed in social situations. For example, if a participant starts their session calm, the horse will respond in the same manner, allowing them to connect and bond through the activity. On the other hand, if someone starts their activity nervous and agitated, the horse will step away. With time, as participants grow more and more fond of the horses, this unique trait can help them regulate their emotions, and remain calm in order to interact with the animal. 

What are the benefits of equine therapy ?

Equine therapy has a multitude of benefits, helping participants improve their cognitive, physical, emotional and social wellbeing. These can include: 

• Cognitive: improved attention span, better concentration, greater tactile awareness
• Physical: improved muscle tone, better posture, greater balance, better coordination
• Emotional and social: improved judgement, greater self-esteem, boost in confidence 

Olwen says “It is so rewarding seeing people after they come to the RDA and the delight when they get there. There’s one fellow who is always straight out of the car like a rocket and running down to the yard, waiting to get on the horse.”

Is equine therapy covered by NDIS?

Costs of equine therapy can be covered by NDIS if:

1. This form of treatment is likely to have a positive impact on your health and wellbeing and; 
2. It is directly related to your disability. It also needs to meet the reasonable and necessary test that NDIS applies to all purchases made using plan funds. 

It could be a good idea to add equine therapy to your NDIS plan if it connects to your NDIS goals. For example, if your goals are to improve your physical wellbeing, you could outline how equine therapy could help you achieve better physical health through improving your muscle tone and strength. You could also ask an occupational therapist or a physiotherapist to write a recommendation letter outlining their view on benefits of equine therapy to you.