Hippotherapy
Hippotherapy is a form of physical, occupational and speech therapy in which a therapist uses the characteristic movements of a horse to provide carefully graded motor and sensory input. A foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing, which can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities. Unlike therapeutic horseback riding (where specific riding skills are taught), the movement of the horse is a means to a treatment goal when utilizing hippotherapy as a treatment strategy. Hippotherapy has been used to treat patients with neurological or other disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, head injury, stroke, spinal cord injury, behavioral disorders and psychiatric disorders. The effectiveness of hippotherapy for many of these indications is unclear, and more research has been needed. Here, we purpose to give information about hippotherapy which is not known adequately by many clinicians and health workers.
Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational, and speech therapy that utilizes the natural gait and movement of a horse to provide motor, and sensory input. It is based on improvement of neurologic functions, and sensory processes, used for patients with physical, and mental disorders. In paralyzed individuals it contributes to physical rehabilitation programs.
Herein, we wanted to provide information about hippotherapy whose effectiveness has been demonstrated in scientific studies, and so prevalently used in many countries in the fields of physical, and mental disabilities. In our study, recognition of the importance of this new method for our country will provide benefit for many patient groups.
Diagnosis
Hippotherapy means treatment with the aid of a horse. Despite long-term use in history, only a few studies have been performed on its theoretical basis. Only scarce information are available on its psychological, physical, social, and educational effects in specially trained children. Hippotherapy is a treatment method with concurrently favourable psychological, social, and educational effects on many organ systems including sensory, musculoskeletal, limbic, vestibular, and ocular systems
Hippotherapy is a treatment modality whose effectivenes has been confirmed in a large patient group with physical or mental disabilities when applied by an experienced therapist with the aid of a horse. Equine-asisted therapy is being used widely in many countries of the world. We think that as the importance of hippotherapy is acknowledged more deeply by physicians, and therapists in our country, greater number of patients, and their families will benefit from this form of treatment.
Herein, we wanted to provide information about hippotherapy whose effectiveness has been demonstrated in scientific studies, and so prevalently used in many countries in the fields of physical, and mental disabilities. In our study, recognition of the importance of this new method for our country will provide benefit for many patient groups.
Diagnosis
Hippotherapy means treatment with the aid of a horse. Despite long-term use in history, only a few studies have been performed on its theoretical basis. Only scarce information are available on its psychological, physical, social, and educational effects in specially trained children. Hippotherapy is a treatment method with concurrently favourable psychological, social, and educational effects on many organ systems including sensory, musculoskeletal, limbic, vestibular, and ocular systems
Hippotherapy is a treatment modality whose effectivenes has been confirmed in a large patient group with physical or mental disabilities when applied by an experienced therapist with the aid of a horse. Equine-asisted therapy is being used widely in many countries of the world. We think that as the importance of hippotherapy is acknowledged more deeply by physicians, and therapists in our country, greater number of patients, and their families will benefit from this form of treatment.