Horseback physio

Four-year-old Giancarlo Carrillo strokes a horse during his hippotherapy session at the private centre,at Chiquilistagua in Managua, Nicaragua. Hippotherapy — which literally means “treatment with the help of the horse” and derived from the Greek word “hippos”, meaning horse — is a physical, occupational or speech and language therapy treatment strategy that utilises equine movement. Specially trained physical and occupational therapists use this rehabilitative treatment as a means of improving coordination, balance and strength in patients with movement dysfunction. In hippotherapy, the movement of the horse influences the patient. The patient is positioned on the horse and actively responds to his movement. This strategy is used as part of an integrated treatment programme to achieve functional outcomes.

New poise: Four-year-old Giancarlo Carrillo strokes a horse during his hippotherapy session at a private centre,at

Chiquilistagua in Managua, Nicaragua. Hippotherapy — which literally means “treatment with the help of the horse” and

derived from the Greek word “hippos”, meaning horse — is a physical, occupational or speech and language therapy

treatment strategy that utilises equine movement. Specially trained physical and occupational therapists use this

rehabilitative treatment as a means of ‘improving coordination, balance and strength in patients with movement

dysfunction’. In hippotherapy, the movement of the horse influences the patient. The patient is positioned on the horse and actively responds to his movement. This strategy is used as ‘part of an integrated treatment programme to achieve

functional outcomes’ and has found use in those with cerebral palsy, autism, Down’s syndrome and brain or spinal cord

injuries. * AFP