Making Friends with Horses to Dream of Rehabilitation! ... Gyeongbuk Office of Education Completes Healing Program for Students with Disabilities and Their Families

'Rehabilitation Horseback Riding Family Camp' Held for Disabled Students and Families in Sangju and Yeongcheon Over 3 Days and 2 Nights

Photo with Superintendent Lim Jong-sik at the rehabilitation horseback riding family camp held on the 12th at Yeongcheon Unjusan Equestrian Center.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] The Gyeongbuk Office of Education successfully concluded the 'Rehabilitation Horseback Riding Family Camp,' held over two nights and three days from the 3rd to 5th and 11th to 13th in Sangju and Yeongcheon for students with disabilities and their families.

The Rehabilitation Horseback Riding Family Camp, which began in 2017, is now in its sixth year and aims to promote the physical and mental recovery of students with disabilities and enhance intimacy among family members.

This year's camp expanded the range of participating families to include non-disabled siblings and was divided into groups of 60 in Sangju and Yeongcheon to consider the convenience and accessibility of parents and students.

The camp featured rehabilitation horseback riding instructors, safety personnel, horse leaders, side walkers, play therapists, and psychological therapy experts who operated various horse-mediated rehabilitation programs, including ▲rehabilitation horseback riding riding programs ▲Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapies (EAAT) ▲parent-child understanding programs ▲horse-related craft activities.

Family-friendly programs were also richly organized, such as tours of the Sangju Museum and Nakdong River Biological Resource Center, tea ceremony etiquette, and traditional folk game experiences at Imgo Seowon, receiving great responses from students and parents.

A parent who participated from Pohang said, “At first, seeing my child scared and avoiding the horse, I thought the riding experience would be difficult, but several instructors ensured safety at the child's eye level. Through the horse interaction program, my child became friendly with the horse and was able to ride comfortably from the afternoon, which was surprising. I definitely want to participate again next year.”

A parent from Andong said, “Experiencing horseback riding was a great time to become closer with my children. Traveling with two kids is not easy, but being able to participate with siblings made it an even more enjoyable memory.”

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education successfully completed the first and second Rehabilitation Horseback Riding Family Camps with favorable reviews, and the third and fourth camps are scheduled for around November.

Lee Kyung-ok, Director of Educational Welfare Division, said, “We expect emotional stability and increased confidence for students with disabilities through participation in the Rehabilitation Horseback Riding Family Camp. Furthermore, our office will do its best to provide education and support for students with disabilities.”