Communication with animals is always the knowledge of a new, unknown. Such a simple occupation gives a lot of pleasure and uplifting. It is difficult to overestimate the positive impact of our smaller brothers on the development and formation of the inner world of children and adults. On this occasion, various studies have been carried out, many scientific works have been written, hypotheses have been put forward. Today we’ll talk about a direction that involves communication with horses. Namely, we will tell you what the treatment of hippotherapy is.
What it is?
Hippotherapy is a whole complex of various riding exercises, with the help of which the necessary therapeutic effect on the human body is achieved. Translated from the Greek language literally means "treatment with a horse."
Hippotherapy as a treatment method: history of occurrence
People have long noticed that rider warriors recover much faster from injuries and injuries. As early as the 18th century, an encyclopedic work was created that related the importance of riding to health. But for a long time, hippotherapy was not a separate medical discipline. Only in the 1960s gradually began to use horseback riding as an additional method of treatment of various diseases under the supervision and guidance of a physiotherapist. Hippotherapy began to spread in Europe: Austria, Switzerland, Germany.
But the birth of the American Association in 1992 is considered the real birth of the therapeutic method. And in Russia, for the first time, horse riding center for treatment of children was used by the Live Thread hippotherapy center in 1991.
Tasks
Today, hippotherapy is one of the methods of physiotherapy exercises. The tasks that horse riding can perform as a physiotherapeutic method are as follows:
- reduce muscle tone;
- restore the activity of joints and muscle groups;
- develop strength, endurance;
- massage deep muscles, thereby helping to relieve tension, activate them;
- improve the efficiency of the patient rehabilitation process.
Indications
Hippotherapy is prescribed as an additional method of rehabilitation of patients with neurological problems, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, as well as with mental disorders. Hippotherapy for children is effectively used. Young patients actively and with great pleasure, interest and joy accept such an unusual way of healing.
Hippotherapy helps with such diseases:
- cerebral palsy (cerebral palsy) ;
- Down syndrome;
- mental retardation;
- autism;
- multiple sclerosis;
- skull injury;
- violations in the musculoskeletal system of traumatic origin;
- arthritis;
- a stroke;
- coronary heart disease;
- gynecological and urogenital diseases, especially of an inflammatory nature;
- psychological and behavioral disorder;
- psychiatric disorders: neurosis, schizophrenia.
Contraindications
There are certain conditions and diseases in which riding is contraindicated in order to prevent complications and worsen the patient’s health. These include:
- any disease in acute form;
- hemophilia;
- osteoporosis;
- kidney problems of various etiologies;
- fragility of bones and joints.
There are frequent cases of an allergic reaction to animal hair. In this case, the specialist assesses the severity of the condition and makes a decision on whether to continue hippotherapy, or there is a need for a temporary suspension of the course. In most cases, such a reaction goes away on its own after a few weeks.
Features
The rehabilitation method such as hippotherapy has certain features. First of all, horseback riding is not so much a method of physiotherapy as a pleasant and useful active pastime. Therefore, treatment is carried out in a comfortable psychological setting with a positive attitude towards the result. The process goes unnoticed by the patient.
Secondly, during training, the muscles tighten reflexively while riding a horse. It is important for the patient to maintain balance during the course of the animal, so even those muscles that are damaged begin to work quietly.
The psychological influence of the method
It is difficult to overestimate the beneficial effects of riding on the patient’s inner world, especially children. Communication with such a magnificent creature as a horse will certainly be remembered by the child. In the process of training, a close relationship is created between the animal and the rider: they learn to understand each other's character, act in concert.
Hippotherapy for children and adults can be prescribed for problems of perseverance, the presence of excessive aggressiveness, fussiness, prolonged stress and depression, feelings. Hippotherapy helps a closed person to relax, find contact with others, increase self-esteem. And horse care develops the skills of independence, responsibility. When dealing with this magnificent animal, a feeling of peace, cheerfulness, and positiveness appears.
Physiological treatment
The main role in hippotherapy is made up of physiological oscillatory movements during horse racing. In horse riding rehabilitation centers , special complexes of horse movements have been developed to achieve maximum effectiveness in the treatment of certain diseases.
How does riding a horse deal with serious health problems? Hippotherapy is a serious physical activity. The thing is that the oscillatory movements of the horse involuntarily force certain groups of rider muscles to contract in order to maintain balance. In addition, in the process of walking the animal, a massage of the internal organs of the patient takes place, as well as the work of the joints. Also interesting is the fact that during classes the pulse rises to those indicators that an athlete who has run several kilometers has, but there are no difficulties in breathing and heart function.
Favorably, the health of the rider is also affected by the increased body temperature of the horse compared to humans . It is 37-38 degrees. Thus, the natural warming of the skin, muscles, joints and some organs is carried out.
Prerequisites for the effectiveness of the method
In order for hippotherapy to bring significant results in the treatment of the disease, the following factors are necessary:
- desire and informed participation of the patient in therapy;
- a set of exercises developed by specialists (doctors of physiotherapy exercises);
- a gradual increase in the complexity of classes and an increase in riding time;
- regular regular therapy;
- the right combination of hippotherapy with other treatments.
Hippotherapy in the treatment of cerebral palsy
Hippotherapy for children with cerebral palsy is highly effective. Positive results were recorded using this method. Studies and observations have proved that this method of physiotherapy exercises helps to reduce muscle tightness, improve motor skills. Involuntary massage of deep muscle groups during horse riding, which cannot be used by other therapeutic methods, improves the patient's motor activity.
The role of the animal itself in the rehabilitation process cannot be underestimated. Communication with the horse, caring for it also have an impact on the healing process. In addition, riding lessons are held in the fresh air, often in a picturesque area, which only has a positive effect on the patient, reflected in his perception of the world around him and his appreciation of the great gift of life.
Today, almost every equestrian club hosts hippotherapy in Moscow for children with central nervous system disorders.
Hippotherapy for the treatment of children
As noted above, hippotherapy is most effective in treating children. The best results are achieved in patients 5-12 years old. So, it was during this period that children are most open to the world, enjoy learning about the environment, are responsive and able to easily perceive everything new. The main condition for practicing with children is to create an atmosphere of trust, friendliness during classes so that the baby is liberated and happy to perform tasks.
Hippotherapy is used for children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and mental retardation. The principle of the impact of the riding method in autism has not been fully studied, but the facts of the socialization of the small patient and the improvement of the interaction between the child and surrounding people are also noted.
The method of physiotherapy exercises is also used for children with mental disorders, who have been abused or have experienced the loss of loved ones, adolescents with suicidal tendencies and other psychological problems.
Where is hippotherapy conducted in Moscow?
On the outskirts of modern cities, it’s easy to find a suitable equestrian rehabilitation center. The attending physician will definitely advise the equestrian club that is suitable in your case. We list several of the most popular places where hippotherapy is carried out in Moscow:
- "Living thread" on the street Begovoy, 2 (central hippodrome).
- "Equestrian club for the disabled": Zagorodnoe highway, 1.
- "Gaia": st. Burtsevskaya, 1a.
- Readinghorse: st. Dybenko, 5.
- Sokoros: Crosscut, 11.
These clubs are distinguished by high professionalism of staff and affordable pricing.
Hippotherapy: reviews
It is difficult to find a negative review about such a pleasant and interesting method of treatment. Negative riding experience is most often associated either with the patient’s unpreparedness for classes, or with low qualifications and professionalism of equestrian club employees.
Most people agree that hippotherapy is an effective rehabilitation physiotherapeutic method of combating various diseases. But special effectiveness is observed when using horseback riding to treat children suffering from cerebral palsy. More and more often, doctors recommend that parents of such babies resort to an unusual method of treatment. The results affect not only relatives, but often experts as well - cases of significant improvement in the condition of children with central nervous system disorders have been reported after literally a month of regular hippotherapy classes.
But, it is worth noting that such an activity is not cheap. Training hippotherapy for 30 minutes will cost an average of 300-500 rubles. And to achieve maximum results, it is recommended that classes be held three times a week for an hour.
Hippotherapy is not just a treatment method. This is a whole philosophy, a new way of life. Once riding a horse, it is difficult to give up such pleasure in the future. Positive impressions and emotions, as well as the undeniable physiological benefits of riding, are useful not only for patients, but also for absolutely healthy people of any age.