The utilization of hippotherapy as auxiliary treatment in the rehabilitation of children with cerebral palsy

The treatment of patients with cerebral palsy requires the coordination of orthopedic procedures and rehabilitation, using neurophysiological methods. One such method is hippotherapy, which involves the utilization of horseback riding to stimulate the patient's normal reactions. The goal of hippotherapy is to stimulate locomotion, improve the balance and coordination of movement, normalize muscle tension, and eliminate pathological reflexes. The starting position in hippotherapy is sitting astride on horseback. The changes taking place in the dynamics of the horse's movement during the ride evoke motor responses not dependent on the patient's will. Hippotherapy is indicated as therapy in disturbances of muscle tension and disturbances in the motor sphere. This method is not used when the symptoms of CNS damage intensify during therapy, or in cases of neoplastic disease, spinal instability, unstable spondylolisthesis, or inflammation of the bone and joint system. Due to its recreational and sporting aspects, hippotherapy is more easily accepted by patients than indoor exercises.