EQUESTRIAN THERAPY

You’ll probably be surprised to learn that equestrian therapy, which can be practiced in three ways, has existed for over 150 years.

Two of these approaches are offered at Projet équestre Goldie, both outdoors or in the comfort of our indoor arena.

Therapeutic horseback riding

This therapy consists of progressive exercises that take into consideration the movement control needed for a specific position. It uses sensory integration—that is to say, the capacity to receive, understand and organize outside information before reacting to it.

• This type of therapy is particularly appropriate for children with autism spectrum disorder, emotional management, anxiety, learning difficulties or with an intellectual disability.

Hippotherapy

This experience is different from other types of equestrian therapy in the sense that it is the horse that influences the rider, and not the other way around. With this therapy, the rider can improve his or her posture, balance, mobility and functional capacities through the horse’s movements directed by an instructor.

The movement of walking for a horse is similar to that of humans, so when a human that suffers from a movement handicap sits on a horse, the horse’s repetitive, rhythmic and symmetric movements are transmitted to the rider.

IMPORTANT FACT
No medical device or other mechanism has ever been able to reproduce that movement.

• This type of therapy is particularly appropriate for children with a physical disability.