Disabled children and adults are mentally challenged or physically incapable of doing normal life activities like other children and adults. They need special love, attention, and care. Shetland ponies are used as therapy horses for children of all ages, seniors, and disabled adults.
The reasons why Shetland horses are used for therapy are their gentle nature. They are small and stocky. There is no fear or being scared around a huge horse. There are no worries of being allergic like a cat or dog.
They fit perfect right alongside a child. A child can lead one around and go for a slow ride around the yard. A mentally challenged adult or child can sense or feel the horse’s gentle presence, which gives huge smiles and hugs when having a bad day of pain or depression.
Depending on location, there are many nonprofit organizations that will use Shetland ponies to visit nursing homes, hospitals, and other medical facilities. In some places, the horses will be given to children as a comforting pet. They can have a friend to talk to and hold while in pain. The horse can be trusted providing a sense of security and safety.
Seniors love animals and miss their pets. They can have a wonderful day out in the patio or garden area with a Shetland pony. Just having a conversation, going for a walk, and petting the Shetland, gives them the feeling love and a friend to speak with.
A Shetland pony visiting a cancer ward makes many people’s day. Just a feeling of home and missing their pets, a pony is genuinely therapeutic. They make the person forget they are in a hospital and just escape for the day. Learning how to pet and feed the Shetland pony involves the patient and reminds them they are loved and cared for. When they feel all hope is completely gone, the pony can help heal a broken soul.
There are people that will provide a loving home to retired Shetland ponies when they are done with their healing services. The same people can also breed and train Shetlands for community service. These ponies can be visited by disabled and mentally challenged individuals at the stables.
If the ponies cannot come to them, they will come and spend a day with the Shetlands. Adults and children get so excited when they know it is time to visit the ponies. The person can have a favorite horse they have bonded with and know the pony is a special friend.
Pictures of the ponies hang on many walls showing the special day and what they did together. Journals are typed or written about their pony friend. When visiting the ponies, colored pictures can be brought to hang up in the stables and snacks will be fed as a special treat to the Shetlands.
he Shetland pony knows their special person. You can truly see the bond between a human and horse. The pony will whinny and strike up a conversation with the child or adult. Witnessing something like this will truly change a person’s life forever.