Children with speech or communication difficulties may find animals to be more motivating communication partners. They might initiate verbal or nonverbal communication to\u00a0interact with animals, which can eventually extend to human interactions as well. This can be a stepping stone for language development and social engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Animals like horses thrive in non-verbal communication, and when they feel unsafe or threatened, they\u2019ll retreat from the perceived threat. Since they can recognize emotion, children can see the immediate effect of responding positively to the horse. This way, a horse serves as a mirror to the child\u2019s behavior, and this can be a teachable moment for how their actions or behaviors affect others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n