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This method was founded in Czech Republic 20 years ago. Commonly it is used for orthopedic, cardiologic and psychiatric diagnosis. Last but not least, working with horses is lately also used for treating breathing difficulties. In this case, hippotherapy is the youngest treatment method for asthma. Contraindications are allergies to horses, straw, sawdust, etc… treatment consists of caring for the horses in their boxes and stables, and you will also learn to handle them and ride on them.
The movement of the horse is used for relearning the movement/motion and coordination of the muscles of the person. From a biomechanical point of view, the horse is used for training of a correct body posture which helps with breathing. Riding on the horse leads to strengthening the weakened muscle groups.
Pelvis and spine have ideal position in a sitting position on the horse. Further benefits are mental relaxation and harmonization, deepening the concentration, increasing the confidence and dauntlessness.
Hippotherapy courses are usually held two times a week during the whole year. Clubs which are organizing the hippotherapy training also organize summer camps for ill children.
Author: Iva Bílková, FYZIOklinika physiotherapy Ltd., Prague, Czech Republic
Source: Clinical experience in physiotherapeutic field, FYZIOklinika
