Horses are being used to help people with problems through a practice known as hippotherapy, with several centres around Belgium now offering this form of therapy for patients ranging from children to the elderly.
Hippotherapy involves using horses as partners in a therapeutic setting for individuals dealing with physical, mental, or emotional health issues.
“By harnessing the movements of the horse, hippotherapy aims to enhance various aspects of patients' lives, including posture, balance, coordination, and muscle strength,” Astrid Everarts, the director of "Les Rênes de la Vie asbl," an association dedicated to hippotherapy, told RTBF in a recent interview. “During a hippotherapy session, a trained therapist leverages the horse as a therapeutic companion within a controlled environment.”
According to Everarts, the horse's movements, particularly its gait, are transferred to the patient's body, yielding positive effects on posture, balance, coordination, muscle strength, and flexibility. “The horse's exceptional ability as a motor partner can benefit individuals with neurological disorders as it provides sensory and vestibular (spinal column) stimulation.
Moreover, hippotherapy extends its benefits to psychological well-being, she told RTBF. Interacting with horses promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and enhances mood, which ultimately fosters self-confidence. As a multidisciplinary discipline, hippotherapy also simultaneously addresses social, relational, and emotional aspects.
Improving mobility and mental health
During a session, a qualified therapist collaborates with a specially trained horse. The patient engages with the animal through various activities such as grooming, riding, or handling accessories. The initial sessions focus on introducing the patient to the horse and the working environment while identifying the most suitable horse for the individual.
For young patients, to alleviate any fear a child may have towards horses, it is crucial to allow ample time for acclimation with an emphasis on creating a personal space for the child through hippotherapy. It enables them to learn socialization skills, respect personal boundaries, and discover their strengths, ultimately helping them find their place in society.
While the goals of hippotherapy may differ depending on individual needs, they often encompass improving mobility, muscle tone, coordination, self-esteem, self-confidence, concentration, and social skills.
