Learn more about therapy with horses and discover the greatest benefits of this practice.
Without a doubt, if you have a pet, you know that the companionship of animals provides numerous benefits for physical and mental health. Among the biggest advantages of having our furry friends are the reduction of stress, anxiety, lethargy, and even some symptoms of depression. In this context, hippotherapy (or therapy with horses) is much more than a sport and involves a true therapeutic and revitalizing process. But, after all, do you know what hippotherapy is? Stay with us and check out the definition and benefits of this practice on the 7M Boots website.
Although it is little known to the public, hippotherapy is an excellent treatment technique for people with disabilities. The practice consists of using horses in various interdisciplinary approaches. In general, the method works towards the physical and mental rehabilitation of patients. Generally, individuals who seek out hippotherapy have some type of mental, sensory, or motor dysfunction and therefore experience movement or postural problems. Additionally, contact with horses allows for significant improvements in people with neurological disorders, such as those with Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, and autism. It also positively contributes to the treatment of children with hyperactivity or attention deficit.
In summary, hippotherapy takes place with the practitioner mounted on a moving horse, which begins to stimulate the same muscles they would use to walk. This occurs because the movements made by the animal are directly transmitted to the individual mounted on it, creating a response mechanism. At the same time, it is necessary for the practitioner to maintain balance on the saddle, to ensure a correct posture and to correct potential issues. In all sessions, it is essential that a horse trainer and a therapist accompany the practitioner. The professional's specialty will depend on the individual’s difficulty or disability. Among the most common specialists are psychomotricists, speech therapists, and physiotherapists. Furthermore, it is extremely necessary for the animal to be calm, gentle, and previously trained for the activities.
Regarded as an important therapeutic resource, hippotherapy offers numerous postural advantages that are generated from the actions of the horse's trot on the patient's body. Similar to other forms of physical therapy, hippotherapy aims at the rehabilitation of the practitioner through physical exercises. In these situations, the horse acts as a facilitator of the activity, but the process still requires physical and muscular effort. Among the most noticeable results are improvements in coordination and balance, the development of lateral perception, and enhanced awareness of one’s own body. Additionally, hippotherapy encompasses social and emotional aspects and achieves excellent results in patients with conditions such as autism, for example. It is worth mentioning that, from the contact with the animal, the practitioner can overcome traumas and fears and achieve significant improvements in emotional and social spheres. Generally, results can be observed from the very first sessions. As it is completely natural, the activities take advantage of the benefits generated between the relationship of the human body and the horse's movements to ensure the best connection between humans and animals.
In conclusion, did you enjoy learning more about hippotherapy? If so, keep an eye on the tips from 7M Boots and don’t miss any content related to the country universe.
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