Horse Therapy & Treating Cerebral Palsy

Horse therapy--or Equine Assisted Therapy (EAT)--uses horses to help special-needs clients. Two types of horse therapy that can help cerebral palsy patients with physical and psychological issues are Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy. Both the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) and the American Hippotherapy Association have certification and accreditation programs for instructors and facilities.

Cerebral Palsy

• The horse's movement can help build strength

  According to United Cerebral Palsy, cerebral palsy (CP) is a non-progressive condition that usually develops in an infant during pregnancy or shortly following birth, although it can occur later in life. Parts of the brain do not completely or properly develop, or become damaged, affecting muscle coordination and body movement. Afflicted individuals may also have difficulties speaking, hearing, eating, seeing or have some mental retardation.

Treatment

• Horses used for therapy are very patient

  There is no cure for CP and the condition will not worsen, but symptoms related to CP can get worse without treatment. Treatment therapies, such as speech and physical therapies, and braces to help mobility, can help. One common problem is that without proper physical therapy, muscles can weaken or lose elasticity. Psychological therapy is also beneficial. Horse therapy has been proven to help cerebral palsy clients--particularly children--with balance, posture, muscle strength, overall movement and can have positive emotional and psychological benefits.

Types of Horse Therapy

• Horses help children with CP feel normal

  Horse therapy is considered an "Equine Assisted Activity" by the Horses and Humans Research Foundation (HHRF). Therapeutic Riding is one such activity, and unlike the more general Equine Assisted Therapy that incorporates many types of equine activities into the treatment therapy, Therapeutic Riding is specific in that the client learns to ride according to her abilities. In Hippotherapy, however, a trained therapist uses the horse's movement as a tool toward the client's treatment goals, often with several therapists--physical, occupational and speech--working as a team. The term "hippo" is the Greek word for "horse."

Benefits

• Expert handlers are an important part of horse therapy safety

  Both Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy use the movement of the horse to increase the client's strength, benefiting posture, control and balance. Even subtle adjustments the body makes in response to the horse's movements provide stability to the body's trunk. It can also positively affect attention and the neurosystem. Also, an important part of success in cerebral palsy treatment and management is psychological and emotional. Horses help CP clients, and particularly children, feel normal and get away from their daily encumbered routines.

Reputation is Important

• Look for NARHA accreditated instructors

  Check references of a facility or instructor when considering horse therapy. Looking for certified instructors is a good start. In addition to the therapy, the knowledge and skill of the horse handlers are also very important for safety reasons.