Hippotherapy, also called equitherapy or hippotherapy, is a type of therapy with horses that serves to stimulate the development of the mind and body. It serves to complement the treatment of individuals with disabilities or special needs, such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, hyperactivity, autism, very agitated children or with difficulty in concentration, for example.
This type of therapy for people with special needs must be done in an appropriate and specialized environment, as the horse must be tame, docile and well trained so that the person's development is stimulated and the treatment is not compromised. During all sessions it is important, in addition to the horse trainer, the presence of a therapist, who can be a specialized physiotherapist, psychomotricist or speech therapist, for example, to guide the exercises.
Generally, sessions last about 30 minutes, are held once a week and can be attended by people with special needs regardless of age, unless you have contraindications.
Benefits of hippotherapy
Riding therapy is a great therapeutic option especially for children with special needs, as the exercises performed on the horse alters the response of the central nervous system and allows for improvement in posture and movement perception. The main benefits of hippotherapy are:
- Development of affection due to the person's contact with the horse; Stimulation of tactile, visual and auditory sensitivity; Improved posture and balance; Increases self-esteem and self-confidence, promoting a sense of well-being; muscle tone; Allows the development of motor coordination and movement perception.
In addition, hippotherapy makes the person more sociable, facilitating the process of integration in groups, which is very important.
Horse Riding in Autism
Hippotherapy achieves great results in patients with autism because it improves social interaction, language and emotional area. This is because the child learns to overcome some fears, improves facial expression, looks in the eyes, waves goodbye and seeks to make friends with those present at the sessions.
However, each child has their needs and, therefore, the exercises can vary from child to child, as well as the time when the results can begin to be noticed. Learn about other treatment options for autism.
Hipotherapy in Physiotherapy
Hippotherapy can be used as a therapeutic resource in physical therapy because it achieves numerous postural benefits because the horse's walking causes a series of reactions in the patient's body, making him always in search of his own balance.
The horse is able to transmit rhythmic impulses to the patient's legs and trunk, leading to contractions and relaxations that facilitate the perception of the body itself, the notion of laterality and the maintenance of balance.
The results can be seen in a few sessions and, as the treatment is seen in a playful way for the parents and the patient, the feeling of well-being at the end of the session is easily observed.
