Hippotherapy: The Art Of Gymnastics

I was astonished to find out that disabled people can greatly benefit from their therapeutic riding, even when outside of the arena. The idea of someone being with an animal to improve his or her people skills is intriguing. My research suggests that disabled riders may possibly gain better people skills and sensations by being with a horse, rather than talking with a sophisticated human being. In my research, I found that www.sire-htec.org had a great description of how a disabled person would feel on top of a horse. It stated, the horses “rhythmic movements help stiff or spastic muscles to relax, much like rocking soothes a crying baby” (“Benefits”). This information was very helpful when discussing the

Before we jump into the main question, let's jump back to where it all started. Horse therapy dates back to around 600 b.c when the greeks rode horses for therapy. Later, in around 1946 equine therapy then was introduced in Scandinavia. Which then led to the North Americans beginning the handicapped riding which started around 1969. They soon recognized that riding horses or just being

The day-to-day writing in the field of Physical Therapy varies depending on the audience. The audience determines the purpose of the writing and writing style. Physical Therapists (PT) use evidence-based exercises and activities to rehabilitate their patients in order for them to reach their unique goal. Since PT’s work with both medical professionals and patients, they must adjust their writing to be able to communicate effectively. PT’s are just one of the many people in the medical field that may work with a particular patient so it is important that the communication between the different layers of the medical field are precise and clear. Writing to a patient is also important because they are the person who is being directly affected

According to Chris Mallac, the Sports Injury Doctor, gymnasts suffer many growth problems. This includes back problems. One problem includes Scheuermann's disease. One is diagnosed with this disease when the front portion of their back does not develop. In fact, gymnasts are commonly diagnosed because of the repetitive flexing and arching of the back. This disease leads to hunchback. Specifically, the spine starts to wedge out. Scheuermann's disease can take gymnasts out of the sport for periods of time to let their spine grow and function properly. Gymnasts are also commonly diagnosed with premature osteoporosis. This is when the bones weaken, leading to bone loss and severe back pain. These problems are caused because the back never has time

Hippotherapy is a form of equine assisted therapy that helps disabled individuals to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally. Hippotherapy has been shown to

Temple University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program has many aspects that I admire which makes it my top choice of schools to attend to pursue my DPT education. The first reason being this program has an extensive focus on helping the poor, with my degree I wanted to go back to Punjab, India to help elders in my village. The care for elders in small villages is minimal due lack of funding. With this program, I would be one step closer to my dream. The second reason is that way the curriculum is set up; the program allows internship in the second year, which is earlier than most other programs. I would definitely take advantage of the research opportunities that exist for students because I am a hands on individual that learns and understands

During a hippotherapy session, individuals work to improve their physical capabilities. While walking, the horse's body position changes periodically, allowing

Bethany’s Equine and Aquatic Therapy Services, Incorporated, more widely-known as BEATS, Inc., is a treatment facility that utilizes both hippotherapy and aquatic therapy for children with a variety of disabilities (BEATS, n.d.). Aquatic therapy employs the use of water as a means to treat various conditions by aiding in reducing chronic pain and enabling a wider range of motion (Oeverman, n.d.). Hippotherapy is a lesser known method of treating mental, physical, and sensory disabilities by using horses. When ridden, the movements of the horses’ spine and hips mimic the movements of walking or running for those who cannot. Even when stationary, the horses’ consistent breathing stimulates the muscles of the individual riding that cannot be as readily stimulated with the use of any other mechanism (B. Nugent, personal communication, February 25, 2016). This unique form of therapy enables individuals to work on balance and strength. Above all, hippotherapy is incredibly beneficial in enhancing the motivation of disabled clients. Because the children are used to clinical settings, they do not realize that the session is a part of their treatment; instead, they are simply having fun. As the occupational therapist walks close by, often times engaging the child with the use of props, photographs, or games, they are still able to work with the child in the areas of need (Applegate, 2011). BEATS incorporates these two methods as a way of engaging disabled children and efficiently

Many therapies are administered on patients with different health complications. These therapies seek to ease pain or completely heal the patients. Equestrian therapy is one of the therapies used to treat people with disabilities. It uses horses as agents to promote emotional health. The approach has become popular in the treatment of physical conditions, psychological, and psychosocial issues. However, the big question remains, what are some of the challenges associated with equestrian therapy? Do these challenges surpass its beneficial aspects? The paper herein will focus on the effectiveness of equine therapy, its benefits and the significant role it plays in emotional stability, social interactions, and physical functions.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Kevin Haussler’s theory on why equine physical therapy is not mainstream is “The premise among some veterinarians is the animals heal so well on their own that they don’t need physical therapy, but many animals do need physical therapy... We generally rely on the horse to heal himself we turn the horse out to pasture and hope he improves.” (qtd. in Bryant). Some simple physical therapy techniques are considered “alternative” therapies in the horse world, such as chiropractic care and massage (Bryant Sec. 1, 3 and Pascoe; Carter Sec. 1). Not all physical therapy methods can translate to horses, for example, the use of functional training.

Kinesiotherapist monitors exercise programs that helps people regain muscle strength which was lost due to injury or disease. These are the people that study the depths of anatomy and understand how each part of the body works. The kinesiotherapist choose exercises that best suits the patient depending on what the patient’s goal is. The main goal for a kinesiotherapist to make sure the individual can reach their highest point of mobility and strength without causing pain to the individual. Staying faithful to the exercise routines the kinesiotherapist provides is key to being successful. The education requirements are obtaining a four year degree in kinesiology or exercise science, getting CPR certified, classroom study where you must know

In England during the early 1900’s, it was acknowledged that riding horses for people with disabilities was a beneficial form of therapy. During this time, riding therapy was for wounded soldiers and was offered at the Oxford Hospital during World War I. British physiotherapists were exploring the possibilities of riding as therapy for all types of disabilities by the 1950’s. In 1969, the British Riding for the Disabled Association was founded with the support of the Royal Family. At the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games, Liz Hartel brought attention to riding for people with disabilities when she won the silver medal for Dressage, she was also partially

Arrow Physical Therapy is a full-service physical therapy clinic that is located in Seattle, Washington. Their specialties include movement screen, rehabilitation for dancers, rehabilitation for crossfit and weightlifting athletes, and hip impingement and labral tears. Arrow Physical Therapy makes its patients stay active, stay healthy, and stay passionate. Arrow Physical Therapy is where individualized programming, movement quality, and a return to sport are given much emphasis. Sarah is their orthopedic physical therapist. Arrow Physical Therapy provides excellent physical therapy. Patients must choose them because of their effective treatments and home programs that produce great outcomes, one on one appointments with a skilled therapist,

The use of horses within a therapeutic setting can be described under four broad categories: valuing, hippotherapy, riding therapy, and riding for rehabilitation. In the article,”Why children with special needs feel better with hippotherapy sessions: a conceptual review,” by Anabel Granados and Inmaculada Fernández Agís, the authors theorized that there are two types of hippotherapy, classic and modern. Classic hippotherapy is performed with one patient and at least one therapist and a horse or a donkey. The therapist uses the three-dimensional movement of the horse’s back as an apparatus to manipulate the passive body of the patient. The treatment consists entirely of the horse’s