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Hippotherapy is one of the methods of psychomotor rehabilitation with the use of horses. It can be used regardless of the age of a given person, but most often hippotherapy is used during the rehabilitation of children and adolescents. Contact with horses makes it easier for patients to cope with anxiety, emotions and communication with the world. Hippotherapy is a great support for people with autism, Down syndrome, but also after amputations.
What is hippotherapy?
The term hippotherapy comes from the Greek words “hippos” meaning “horse” and “therapeia” meaning “therapy”. It is a method of physical rehabilitation, derived from neurophysiology (functioning of the nervous system), the basic element of which is contact with the horse. Hippotherapy is a multi-profile therapy, which means that it has a sensory, psychomotor, psychomotor, social and psychological effect at the same time.
The positive influence of hippotherapy, i.e. human contact with horses, was discovered in antiquity. In modern conventional medicine, hippotherapy found its place in the XNUMXth century, at the turn of the XNUMXs and XNUMXs. Such fields of medicine as neurology, psychiatry and orthopedics have become interested in it. Modern hippotherapy is fully based on scientific achievements and is closely related to other rehabilitation and therapy strategies.
We can distinguish several forms of hippotherapy, including passive, consisting in surrendering to the animal’s movements, equestrian physiotherapy, i.e. performing exercises on the horse’s back, pedagogical horse riding with elements of vaulting, contact therapy. They are selected depending on the type of the patient’s problem and the doctor’s recommendations.
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Hippotherapy – course
The best time for hippotherapy is spring and summer, as this period provides the best weather conditions for its performance. What is very important, in spring and summer, hippotherapy is carried out on outdoor runs, not in closed rooms. Hippotherapy is carried out in the presence of two people, because they lead the horse and ensure safety, and the other person is responsible for the therapeutic exercises performed with the patient.
Classes usually last about 30 minutes. The first stage of hippotherapy is to familiarize the patient with the horse while still on the ground. This moment of establishing an emotional bond and overcoming fears is very important for the course of hippotherapy. At first, children brush the horse, stroke it and slowly get used to it. It is worth remembering that especially children are at first very distrustful of such large animals as horses.
Once the child is familiar with the horse, he or she is placed on it. The horse is equipped with the so-called a scoop, i.e. a special pad on which the patient sits and a hippotherapy belt. This equipment provides the patient with direct contact with the horse’s body. Thanks to this, the child can feel the horse’s movements better, which contributes to the effects of hippotherapy.
During hippotherapy, the therapist indicates the exercises to be performed by the rider. These are simple activities consisting in touching the horse in different places while moving, or assuming a specific body position by the rider. Various toys, which are helpful during hippotherapy, can also be attached to the hippotherapy belt.
It happens that a child, due to his underlying disease, is unable to sit on his own or is too small to sit on a horse by himself. Importantly, it is not a contraindication to hippotherapy. Then the child sits on a horse with the therapist as a support and protection for the patient.
Hippotherapy – advantages
The main goal of hippotherapy is to restore the patient’s fitness to the extent possible, taking into account his condition. Hippotherapy improves both physical and mental health. It is conducted by a specialist who protects the patient. Everything is done as prescribed and under the supervision of a doctor. Hippotherapy has been reported to improve:
- correcting body posture;
- developing independence;
- correction of muscle tone;
- surface feeling;
- increasing travel possibilities;
- ability to concentrate;
- fixing the body’s efficiency and immunity;
- stimulating the senses;
- shaping the sense of awareness of oneself and one’s individuality;
- reducing emotional disturbances, including improving self-esteem.
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Hippotherapy – indications
Hippotherapy is recommended for children with autism because there were significant similarities in perception, communication and response to stimuli between autistic people and horses.
This type of therapy also helps children and young people who walk independently but in an incorrect pattern. The horse’s gait allows them to improve their own movement. It also makes it easier for children who are unable to sit steadily to find the correct body position. Hippotherapy allows you to relax tense muscles, so it is sometimes recommended instead of exercises on a mattress and with a ball. Due to its calming properties, it helps in the treatment of neuroses.
Moreover, hippotherapy is indicated as suitable for patients:
- after Heine-Medina disease,
- with cerebral palsy,
- with multiple sclerosis,
- with neuropathy,
- with Parkinson’s disease,
- after a healed meningeal hernia,
- after amputations,
- with scoliosis,
- with a torticollis,
- with valgus knees and hips,
- with Down syndrome,
- with any degree of mental retardation,
- with psychomotor hyperactivity and behavioral disorders,
- with dyslexia,
- with neurotic disorders.
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Hippotherapy – prices
Hippotherapy – as a treatment method that is insufficiently widespread – may raise concerns about the cost of the therapy. It depends, of course, to a large extent on the place, type of disease or disorders that the patient suffers from and the type of hippotherapy that will be needed. It may also be important whether the hippotherapy will be carried out individually or in groups.
It is worth looking for and comparing prices of various hippotherapy centers, although the decisive factor should of course be the quality of services provided there. The closer to large agglomerations, the higher the prices of hippotherapy will be. In the smallest towns, however, we may not be able to do this form of therapy at all. So it’s best to look for the golden mean.
For example, at the Patataj stud, located south of Warsaw, the price for one ride as part of hippotherapy is PLN 40. The Iskra Stable in Sztumskie Pole in Pomerania offers a similar price – PLN 40 for half an hour. In addition to the PLN 70 standard, the “Creation of the Smoleń” Foundation also offers an hour-long session for 50 zlotys. At AgroFarm in Łoś, the cost of hippotherapy is PLN XNUMX per ride – as you can see, it is difficult to rule, although the costs are quite similar.
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Hippotherapy – contraindications
The contraindication to hippotherapy is primarily hypersensitivity, i.e. allergy to horse hair or sweat. In addition, hippotherapy is not recommended:
- people with Perthes disease;
- you are seriously overweight;
- congenital fragility of bones;
- haemophilia;
- with joint dislocation in the hips;
- with open wounds;
- with fractures;
- unhealed pressure ulcers etc.
Hippotherapy – choosing a horse
Choosing a horse suitable for hippotherapy is very important for the safe and proper implementation of hippotherapy. A horse for hippotherapy should be trusting, obedient, calm, patient and gentle. The animal should not be shy. The size of the horse is also important, because horses that are not too large are best for the therapist to help patients comfortably and safely.
Appropriate gait of the animal is also important for the course of hippotherapy. It should move harmoniously and correctly to consolidate the patient’s normal gait patterns. In Poland, Hucul horses are considered the best breed for hippotherapy.
Hippotherapy – preparation
Preparation for hippotherapy mainly concerns the patient’s clothes. The outfit for hippotherapy should be comfortable, but also meet certain guidelines. It is worth remembering about long and comfortable pants and full ankle boots. Thanks to this, the patient will avoid abrasions while driving. You also need a helmet on the head or the so-called toque. It is best to inquire about this at the resort, as some of them provide it.