Purpose: To determine an incomplete spinal cord injured veteran's experience following participation in a therapeutic horseback riding program.
Methods: Following the establishment of a nationwide therapeutic riding program for America's wounded service veterans in 2007, a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse from the Michael E. DeBakey Veteran Affairs Medical Center worked with an incomplete spinal cord injured veteran who participated in the Horses for Heroes program.
Results: This program resulted in many benefits for the veteran, including an increase in balance, muscle strength, and self-esteem.
Discussion: A physical, psychological, and psychosocial benefit of therapeutic horseback riding is shown to have positive results for the spinal cord injured. Therapeutic riding is an emerging field where the horse is used as a tool for physical therapy, emotional growth, and learning.
Conclusion: Veterans returning from the Iraq/Afghanistan war with traumatic brain injuries, blast injuries, depression, traumatic amputations, and spinal cord injuries may benefit from this nurse-assisted therapy involving the horse.
© 2012 Association of Rehabilitation Nurses.