Equine therapy: benefits of therapy with horses and contraindications
Since antiquity or remote times we can also say, we know the benefits that this beautiful animal transmits to people.
The Greeks already used horses for therapeutic purposes as a remedy with which they relieved the symptoms that some diseases such as gout caused them.
Therapy with horses or equinotherapy is also known by other names like hippotherapy Y equestrian therapy.Returning to the present this therapy is increasingly being more demand as its benefits have been studied and known, coming to be considered as a integral therapy.
Among the aims that equinotherapy pursues is to contribute positively in the cognitive, physical, emotional, social, and occupational development of people who have a disabling disease "disability" or special needs.
Other purposes pursued by equine therapy can be described at different levels such as physical and motor level, cognitive level, psychological, emotional, behavioral level, social level, and sensory level.
These benefits are based primarily through the relationship or link that is established directly at the time when both the animal and the person come into contact.
The trot of the horse, its different variations of movement such as, steps, gallop, its contact offer us a variety of stimuli, which benefit us helps us to overcome a series of diseases.
As soon as the horse begins to walk its movements, they act on the nervous system of the patient receiving the corresponding stimuli, which will help him to improve his symptomatology.
To get an idea of how we can receive stimuli at that moment, the person is receiving 110 vibrations per minute.
Depending on the therapeutic needs that each patient needs, the types of exercises will be adapted or adapted, as well as the duration of the exercise and always carried out together with a professional of this therapy who will first make a prior evaluation.
This preliminary evaluation will plan objectives and activities to be carried out depending on the particularities of each person or patient.
In some patients from the first classes or sessions the improvement is appreciated, however in other cases it takes more time to notice the advances.
The benefits of equine therapy
Research and studies conducted with this therapy have discovered its benefits on certain diseases such as autism, Down syndrome, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, people with psychomotor retardation, multiple sclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases.
On the other hand, it is also very useful in case of hyperactivity, in children and adolescents with behavioral problems, people with sensory disturbances (visual, auditory, sensory integration problems), patients also with emotional and psychological problems, people and groups at risk of social exclusion.
This therapy also helps to improve self-esteem, overcome fears, insecurities helps to promote communication and language, to improve attention and memory, helps strengthen the muscles, improve both balance and coordination.
Therefore we can say that therapy with horses is a therapy that generally benefits us all, even when we need to just relax and enjoy the company of this beautiful animal.
Instead we must pay attention to the cases that we detail below in which the therapy with horses is not advised.
Situations where therapy with horses is not recommended
- In people allergic to horse hair.
- When you have hemophilia
- When you have seizures
- When we have some orthopedic problem.
- Severe osteoporosis
In addition to all the benefits that we have been making known throughout this post, in the case of children go to therapy with horses is for them a moment of leisure because for them the horse is a like a playmate, at the same time that it allows them to interact with more children, in a natural environment and in which they will also begin in love, care and respect both to nature and to animals.
