1.

When training a person or animal, it is important to reward them for performing desired tasks. As an equestrian trainer, there are many ways to reward horses. The article Equestrian Coaches’ Understanding and Application of Learning Theory in Horse Training discussed the importance of knowing the difference in positive and negative reinforcement, and knowing when to use them. Because I would like to be a trainer, this article provided me with useful information on connecting to both the rider and horse while teaching.

There are several ways to reward horses for desired performance; petting the horse on the neck, rubbing the horse on the neck, scratching the horse’s withers, turning the horse out for a free run, or giving the horse a handful of grain. However, the most common and what is said to be the most effective reward is release of the aid. This is an example of negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement is the “removal of a stimulus immediately after a desired response” (Smith and McGreevy 154). However, this can be used inappropriately and can cause a behavioral conflict in the animal. Among coaches, the application of reinforcement is something that is unclear. Most coaches could not explain this when asked. Through proper training of coaches we can train animals more effectively.

This article was well written and informative. The authors had a clear understanding and knowledge of the information.  Authors Amanda K. Warren-Smith and Paul D. Mcgreevy have in total published 10 books. McGreevy has the equine science and Warren-Smith the psychological. 

2.

This article discussed the symptoms of Aperger’s and Autism and the differences between the two. It then discussed how hippotherapy and equine therapy can be beneficial to children or people with Apserger’s or Autism. The trained “therapists help patients ride the horse in different positions, including sitting or laying forward, backward, or sideways; standing up in the stirrups; and riding on the horse without holding on”(Equine Therapy for Autistic and Asperger’s Syndrome Kids).  This helps do a number of things, including relaxing tight muscles, building strength, and improving concentration.

“The movement of the horse moves the rider’s pelvis in the correct way, while also stimulating other bones, ligaments, and joints. “ “A horse moves a person in more than one way, by tilting, rotating, and moving the rider, which would take a whole session of difficult physical therapy exercises to achieve. Sitting on a horse improves core muscle strength, muscle symmetry, balance, posture, flexibility, circulation, coordination, and breathing (which also makes it easier to speak). The autistic are unable to integrate their senses and understanding of how their bodies relate to external forces and surfaces; hippotherapy can greatly improve an autistic child’s sense of their own bodies in space.”” The excitement of riding encourages speech when the rider wants to communicate with the therapist and the horse.”

This source is reliable because it comes from an education group. Though it is a .com address, the information is unbiased and credible.

This article is on the topic I plan on doing my research paper on. I want to pursue a future in hippotherapy eventually and I think it is wonderful the change it makes in these kids. It gives me a lot of valuable information. I like how it described the difference between hippotherapy and equine therapy because I didn’t know there was one. 

3.

Hippotherapy is a way to help children with disabilities overcome them with the use of horses. The article “Hand it to Hippotherapy,” by Barbara Smith goes into detail on the benefits of hippotherapy. Smith discusses the excercises performed throughout sessions and how the children grow through each. Hippotherapy aids with “strength and muscle tone, balance and postural stability, postural insecurity, motor planning skills, sencory awareness or defensiveness,” (Smith). The movement of the horse helps to build strength in children who can’t walk because it forces them to use muscles they would use to walk. Children are also motivated to return because interacting with the horses is enjoyable. The children perform tasks on and off the horses. “coloring inside horse stencils, brushing the horse, braiding the mane, and playing pin the tail on the horse,” all help with fine motor skills and listening skills (Smith).  Although the url is a .com, the author is very credible. Barbara Smith is the author of The Recycling Occupational Therapist and Still Giving Kisses: A Guide to Helping and enjoying the Alzheimer's Victim You Love. This article was very helpful and taught me some new facts about hippotherapy.