Information Avenue Archives Picture Information Avenue
Archives

Hippotherapy

As you probably know, or may have guessed, the term "hippotherapy" does not refer to working with a 4,000 pound hippopotamus in the African Nile. Instead, it is a term used to describe a therapeutic horseback riding program for individuals who are mentally challenged, physically challenged, or have emotional disabilities. Specially trained physical and occupational therapists use this method of treating children with special needs to improve circulation and respiration and to help them develop strength, coordination, balance, self confidence and patience.

 

Physical Benefits

Riding a horse actually causes the rider's body to move in a manner similar to a human gait. Therefore, when your child is on a horse, in order to keep his balance, he will be moving his trunk, arms, shoulders, and head in a smoothly rhythmic way without having to concentrate on standing. These types of movements, for maintaining balance, reach deep muscles that are not accessible in conventional physical therapy. In addition, the motion of the horse improves reflexes, such as righting, and strengthens many different muscles.

For several reasons, therapeutic horseback riding is an excellent therapy for stretching tight muscles and reducing spasticty. First, sitting on a horse helps with spastic muscles because the child must stretch apart his legs when mounting and sitting on the horse. Second, since the child needs to look up to see where he is going, his back and stomach muscles are being stretched and his head and trunk control improve. Third, working with the reins stretches the hand and arms muscles, which facilitates upper extremity and hand control. Last, the warmth and motion of the horse's body has been known to significantly reduce spastic muscles.

In addition to the muscular benefits (strengthening, stretching, etc.), riding increases both respiration and circulation, as well as stimulates the digestive tract, resulting in an increase in the efficiency of digestion.

 

Mental, Psychological, and Emotional Benefits

For those children with mental or emotional disabilities, a unique relationship or bond is formed between the child and the horse. Many times children with these disabilities are isolated and judged by their peers. But, when the child is on the horse, he no longer looks up at other people; they look up at him. He is doing something that his peers have no experience in. Riding a horse gives the child a feeling of grace, elegance, and power that few other activities can provide. This, often times, leads to an increase in self-confidence, self-image, and self-esteem.

The horse also gives the child the feeling of power and control by allowing the child to lead it where the child wants to go. However, since the horse has a mind of its own, patience will also develop as the rider learns how to manipulate the horse when it's not cooperating. Emotional control is often learned as well. Crying, shouting, and having outbursts can upset the horse causing it to react negatively to the child's behavior. Therefore, the child will learn to control his emotions and express them appropriately.

 

Sensory and Educational Benefits

Visiting a ranch can be a wonderful experience for a child and a break from his or her normal routine. The sight of the large animals up close and the sounds they make can be very exciting to a child who is not familiar with farm life. The smells of hay and the special mixed feed given to the animals are a great olfactory stimuli. Touching a horse's soft coat and feeling its coarse mane gives tactile input.

In addition to stimulating the child's senses, the riding program can teach your child many important life skills. Expanded vocabulary and improved identification skills result from learning about horses. Eye-hand coordination may improve. Understanding different activities such as stop and go, left and right, short brush strokes and long brush strokes, back and front, etc. may also result from therapeutic riding.

Another important benefit to therapeutic horseback riding is that since it is an enjoyable experience, children do not consider it therapy. In many cases, the child will actually make greater effort due to the excitement of being on a horse, and the negative attitude towards therapy can be eliminated.

Hippotherapy has been used for children with all types of disabilities. Following is a list of common disorders that are treated with this method:

Autism
ADHD
Brain Injuries
Cerebral Palsy
Down Syndrome
Learning Disabilities
Mental Retardation
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Spina Bifida
Hearing and/or Vision impaired

If you are interested in learning more about hippotherapy for your child, contact the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association at (800) 369-RIDE or visit their web site at http://www.narha.org where you will be provided a directory of riding centers in your area. Because of the physical nature of horseback riding, parents should consult their child's physician to ensure that hippotherapy is suitable for the child.

References:

 

Welcome | Editor's Note | Success Stories | Horror Stories | Family Issues | Legal Files | Information Avenue | Disorder Zone | Archives | Diagnosis Search | Tips | Bulletin Board | Marketplace | Parent-Matching Program | Suggestion Box | Guestbook | Sponsors | Donations | Featured Special Child | Home

Copyright © 1997-2000, The Resource Foundation for Children with Challenges. All rights reserved.
By using Special Child and related services, you agree to abide by the terms and conditions.