EQUINE THERAPY

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EQUINE THERAPY - HIPPOTHERAPY 🏇

 

"HORSES CHANGE LIVES. THEY GIVE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE CONFIDENCE AND SELF ESTEEM. THEY PROVIDE PEACE AND TRANQUILITY TO TROUBLED SOULS- THEY GIVE US HOPE"


"In today’s world, children with Cerebral Palsy often benefit from several traditional treatments and therapies designed to greatly enhance his or her abilities, and by extension, his or her quality of life." Some therapies – such as physical therapy – are commonly deployed for those with mobility and function impairment. But others, like equine therapy – also known as hippotherapy – take an unconventional path in the effort to increase a child’s physical strength and cognitive capabilities.


INTRODUCTION

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, and used for patients with physical, and mental disorders. Especially, in paralyzed individuals it contributes to physical rehabilitation programs.


 Hippotherapy was recognized in the United States in the 1980s as a therapy that not only helps patients with neuromuscular dysfunction increase physical strength and cognitive ability, but also offers the individual a chance to take advantage of an enjoyable activity that contributes to a positive therapeutic experience

Hippotherapy is built on the concept that the individual and variable gait, tempo, rhythm, repetition and cadence of a horse’s movement can influence human neuromuscular development in humans. Horseback riding triggers a series of complex physical and mental reactions; such as making physical adjustments to maintain proper alignment on the horse. Riders must also plan movements to maintain balance on the horse, and be able to interact with the animal.




Why are horses are used?

  1. During ambulation the horse provides a rhytmic movement which stimulates anterior, and posterior swinging movements
  2. Movements of the horse encourage the rider to achieve a proper balance, and posture
  3. The horse, and those around provide the rider a large spectrum of sensory, and motor input 

Horseback riding provide effective, and sensory stimulation for its rider through variable, rhytmic, and repetitive movements of the horse. The movement of the horse mimics the normal movements of the human pelvis during walking.


Hippotherapy shortens recovery times, and improves balance and muscle control of the patient. Slow, and rhytmic movements of the horse’s body have therapeutic values, and ensure development of paraspinal muscles. Multifaceted swinging rhythm of a horse gait effects the bones of patient’s pelvic girdle twice more strongly than the gait of a patient. The patients are responding to this entertaining treatment modality with greater compliance, and enthusiasm. Thus, hippotherapy improves balance, mobility, and posture 


What are the benefits of hippotherapy?

Hippotherapy can help children with Cerebral Palsy on several fronts. Interacting with the animal can lift a child’s spirits emotionally and psychologically while also providing valuable physical exercise as the child learns how to ride the horse properly. A horse’s gait has three-dimensional movement—equine movement–similar to a human that helps a child plan physical responses to the horse’s movement. Horseback riding requires subtle adjustments and positioning to maintain proper balance and posture.


1. Physical benefits include:

·         Improved gross motor skills

·         Trunk core strength

·         Control of extremities

·         Improved postural symmetry

·         Reduced abnormal muscle tone

·         Respiratory control




2. Cognitive benefits include:

·         Improved attention

·         Visual coordination

·         Sensory input

·         Tactile response

·         Improved timing and grading of responses

·         Improved ability to express thoughts, needs


3. Psychological benefits include:

·         Enjoyable interactions with the animal

·         Opportunities for social interaction

·         Improved self-esteem



Mechanism of action of hippotherapy


Physical, and educational therapists have used the movements of the horse for the cure of the patient, while psychologists, and mental health therapists benefit from the horse’s mobility so as to achieve or increase compliance of the patients .

Horse pelvis, just like the human pelvis displays a 3-axial movement pattern while walking. Horse gait has been carefully graded at every step of the patient’s treatment. These variable rhytmic, and repetitive movements provides physical, and sensory feedback to the patient. Favourable physical effects of equine-assisted therapy on coordination, muscle tonus, postural balance, stiffness, flexibility, endurance, strength, correction of abnormal movement pattern, and improvement of gait, and balance have been demonstrated in many studies.

Mechanism of action of hypotherapy can be divided into four main groups. The first one is core connection. As we know, during daily living performance, balance, lying supine, and walking, postural control, and core connection are very important. Besides, one of the many beneficial effects of hippotherapy is its favourable effect on postural control, and core body connection. During hippotherapy sessions, during horse riding direct contact with patient’s pelvis, and spine is ensured. Movements of the horse provide sensory input, and induce motor responses in pelvis, and trunk. Other mechanisms of action of hippotherapy can be enumerated as sensory connection, communication connection, and neuroconnection.

Hippotherapy has favourable effects on different domains as physical, social, cognitive, psychologic fields, learning, and adaptive behaviours.

 




Hippotherapy as a physical therapy

In physical therapy, multidirectional movements of the horse are utilized in gait training, balance, postural control, strengthening, and increasing range of motion. In many studies, improvements in gross motor skills, and functional activities have been reported in disabled children.

Hippotherapy as ocupational therapy

In occupational therapy, movements of the horse are utilized with the intention to improve motor control, coordination, balance, attention, sensory processes, and performance in daily activities. Sensory processes, vestibular, proprioceptive, tactile, visual, and auditory systems are targeted simultaneously.

Hippotherapy as speech, and language therapy

Hippotherapy also targets improvements in speech, language, cognitive, and masticatory functions



  • Differentiation between hippotherapy and therapeutic riding


Hippotherapy 

therapeutic riding 

Using the movement of the horse as a treatment tool 

Adapted recreational horseback riding lessons 

Completed by a professional therapist in conjunction with professional horse handler and a specially screened and trained therapy horse 

completed by a professional horseback riding instructor in conjunction with volunteers            

There is direct hands on participation by the therapist at all time 

the individual is often taught riding lessons in a group format 

The horse's movement is essential to assist in meeting therapy goals 

there is occasional hands on assistance by the riding instructor or volunteers 

Is a one on one treatment and generally occurs year-round until the patient meets discharge criteria 

here, the emphasis is on proper riding position and rein skills, not functional therapeutic goals 


Signs Your Child Needs Hippotherapy

If a child has a disability that qualifies him for therapy (occupational, physical, or speech and language), hippotherapy is an option, particularly if the child loves horses and has grown frustrated with the traditional school or clinical setting. Parents may consider hippotherapy if their child:

  • Leans against surfaces, slides out of chairs, and bumps into things, indicating poor body awareness and postural control
  • Seeks a lot of intense movement and avoids sitting long enough to manipulate objects such as crayons or puzzles
  • Has difficulty following directions and communicating with words, pictures, or gestures.

The Benefits of Hippotherapy for the Autistic Population

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is a developmental disorder that affects the development of the brain. Individuals with Autism tend to have difficulties with verbal and non-verbal communication, sensory processing, and understanding or reading social cues. Some children may have difficulty concentrating on tasks, making and maintaining eye contact, completing basic skills such as eating, dressing, brushing their teeth or bathing.

 Autism Hippotherapy has been to shown to improve one’s balance, strength and motor coordination. It has also been proven to be effective in promoting language, sensory regulation as well as improving social skills as students often form an emotional bond with the horses they ride on. This then motivates children to perform skill-building task


Some other benefits of Hippotherapy with autistic population include:

• Relaxing tight muscles 

• Building muscle strength 

• Improving fine motor coordination 

• Sharpening hand/eye coordination 

• Improvements in Posture & Flexibility 

• Improving Communication (improving one’s ability to breathe makes it easier for a person to speak)

• Gaining self-control

• Gaining self-confidence

• Improving concentration 

• Improving concentration (especially for those who have difficulty staying on task with activities)

• Improving socialization 

 

 


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