The word “hippotherapy” may sound very strange to someone who has never heard it before. However, hippos is actually the Ancient Greek word for horse: in this kind of physical therapy, patients with disabilities spend time riding and interacting with horses. Proponents of this practice claim that it can have a wide range of physical and emotional benefits for those who undergo it.
It is important to note that horses have been integrated into certain kinds of psychological therapy, but this is not the same as hippotherapy. While the practice discussed in this article may well have mental or emotional benefits, its primary focus is on helping people with physical disabilities increase their motor skills. For example, many people suffering from cerebral palsy have benefitted from this practice.
How It Can Help
People with cerebral palsy often experience difficulties with both gross motor skills (larger movements such as walking or sitting upright) and fine motor skills (more detailed movements such as manipulating an object with one’s fingers). It may seem strange that riding a horse could address both of these issues, but it can.
Many of the benefits of this form of therapy lie in the fact that a horse’s gait is very similar to a human’s. In other words, riding on a horse involves moving your body in the same way you would if you were walking. For people who have difficulty walking, or cannot walk, this movement helps them practice some of the required motions while exercising the muscles involved in walking.
This is the basic principle around which this form of therapy is often based. However, there are many other advantages that patients may enjoy. These include:
- Sensory processing (the ability to experience, identify, and cope with different sensations, including touch, smell, sight, and taste)
- Fine motor skills, by completing tasks such as holding the reins
- Improved posture from learning how to balance in the saddle, which can improve back health and even respiration
- Verbal expression and articulation, from communicating with the animal and instructor
Some patients, particularly children, also develop emotional and behavioral benefits. For example, the opportunity to ride a horse can present a fun physical activity for people who are often excluded from physical play. Forming a relationship with a gentle and attentive animal can also improve a patient’s happiness levels and overall mental functioning.
Finally, learning to ride a horse can help a person learn patience and discipline. Although the instructor will be working closely with him or her to ensure safety, the skills acquired can foster independence and increased self-esteem.
To learn about causes of cerebral palsy and related issues, contact personal injury lawyers Beltz & Ruth, P.A
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