Not sure if Equitherapy is right for your situation? You're not alone. Here are some helpful books and articles about the impact of horses for those challenged with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Walking the Way of the Horse: Exploring the Power of the Horse-Human Relationship by Leif Hallberg, Forward by Chris Irwin This volume is the result of extensive research in the areas of equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) with particular emphasis on Equine-Facilitated Mental Health and Educational Services. It divulges the nitty-gritty of the healing power of horses.
The Horse Boy by Rupert Isaacson We found this book through an OPRAH magazine review. It's a must read for parents and volunteers. This is a memoir of the author's trip to Mongolia with his wife and autistic son. His son's behavior improves as he spends time with the horses, local people, and shamanic healers.
The Soul of a Horse, Life Lessons from the Herd by Joe Camp This is perfect for everyone who wants to understand horses and people too. We don't think alike, (horses and people), meaning we have our own ideas about how horses should be cared for and unfortunately for horses, we are often wrong. In their journey to understand, be safe with, and train their own horses, Joe and his wife were influenced by many natural horsemanship trainers, including Tom Dorrance, Pat Parelli, and Monty Roberts.
Thinking in Pictures, my Life with Autism, by Temple Grandin Temple Grandin is a woman who is an animal scientist, livestock facilities designer, writer, and teacher, and has lived with autism all her life. This is a woman who never gave up, even when things made no sense at all. In this book, she speaks directly about her childhood and what it is like for her to interact with others at school, in business, and in day to day life as an adult with autism. There is also a detailed resource list in the back of the book. She has lots of ideas for how to reach people with autism based on her own experiences. Reading this book helped us understand the ways in which some of our CARE students see the world. It also helped us look at things from a horse's point of view.
Considering the Horse, A Good Horse is Never a Bad Color Life Lessons from a Ranch Horse These 3 titles from author Mark Rashid help readers and horse lovers communicate with horses using understanding rather than force. Mark Rashid writes like a story teller and demonstrates that he never gives up on a horse, even the most dangerous, unattractive and troubled horses are improved and even healed. What will give you chills is that the people involved, including the author, grow and improve through their interactions with horses.