Relaxation strategies on horses music - Gustavo Mirabal Castro

Relaxation strategies music

Equine therapy is applied in order to reduce the negative effects of diseases or conditions on patients. However, in order to accelerate the improvement or rehabilitation processes, it is necessary to combine with other complementary strategies such as relaxation for patients receiving this type of alternative therapy. In this article we will specifically address the healing effect of music on patients as a relaxation strategies

Music Therapy and Horse Back Riding-Carol Souki

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Music in equine therapy

Music expressed in voice or with feelings, is part of human life since its inception and we have all experienced its magical effects on us. Its therapeutic effect is so great that it evolved towards the creation of music therapy. In no way is it intended that the therapist of equinotherapy enter that field, since this implies specialized studies. You just want to motivate him to apply the music in a simple way to achieve relax or encourage, as required. The purpouse is to use music as one of multiples relaxation strategies

Effects of music as one of multiple relaxation strategies

The simplest and oldest way to calm anguish and reassure is to sing. When working in young children in hippotherapy. These sometimes resent the temporary separation of their parents and start the session very distressed. An almost magical recipe is to start walking on the horse immediately and sing simple children’s songs that adapt to the pace of the horse’s pace.
Adequate music tones

The tone and volume of the therapist’s voice play an important role in the relaxation process. The loud and loud voice excites and stimulates, the low and soft voice relaxes and calms.

Music as one of multiple relaxation strategies

Songs in a higher tone encourage extroversion, those with a lower tone introversion. The melodious songs have an effect on the emotional center, the rhythmic songs on the motor center.

Horseback riding and musical rhythm are intimately linked so reinforcing the rhythm of riding by means of the most appropriate voice or percussion instruments during the ride are the maracas, drums of sound and drums.

Use of a rhythmic instrument is stimulating, especially in the abdominal and pelvic areas, although a relaxing effect is achieved for two reasons:

The patient’s metal care is directed to the motor center in the pelvic area
The monotony of the rhythmic pattern of riding together with the rhythm of maracas, cause a psychic relaxation with regulating effects of respiration and relaxing of muscular activity

It is convenient for the therapist to handle the instruments (whether in a twin or on the floor), so that the patient does not become distracted by the handling of them.

Purpose of Music in sessions

The most important purpose is to relax the musculature so that the seat is deepened and the therapeutic principles it provides to the horse can be transmitted. Multiple relaxation strategies help to achive this goal.

During the therapeutic session the trio therapist, patient and horse establish a deep physical and psychic communication affecting and influencing each other. The good therapy therapist is aware of that and will always try to motivate the patient with his own example

We encourage you to use music as one of the relaxation strategies either for equinetherapy, for riding or in your life in general. Music is life