1. 1st Junior High School of Volos-Greece
Hippotherapy
1st Junior High School of Volos-Greece

2. Introduction
Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy treatment strategy that utilizes the movement of the horse as a strategy by Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists to address impairments, functional limitations, and disabilities in patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction (AHA, 2000).
Hippotherapy literally means treatment with the help of a horse, from the Greek word “hippos” (Greek “ίππος”) meaning horse.

3. History
The introduction of the horse in the therapy and education of humans is not a contemporary invention. The concept of hippotherapy finds its earliest recorded mention in the ancient Greek writings of Hippocrates.
Since 17th century, some Germans considered riding as a special intensive exercise of the body
Hippotherapy as a formalized discipline was not developed until the 1960s, when it began to be used in Germany and elsewhere as an adjunct to traditional physical therapy.

4. The role of the horse
The horse's pelvis has a similar 3-dimensional movement to the human's pelvis at the walk. This movement provides physical and sensory input which is variable, rhythmic and repetitive.
The 3-dimensional movement of the horse's pelvis leads to a movement response in the patient's pelvis which is similar to the movement patterns of human walking.
A foundation is established to improve neurological function and sensory processing, which can be generalized to a wide range of daily activities and address functional outcomes and therapy goals.

5. Outcomes of hippotherapy
The therapeutic educational riding treats human as a whole being and is effective on:
Psychological level:
Developing self-discipline and patience
Developing self-control and self-respect and responsibility
Reducing introversion
Cultivating respect and love to animals
Developing self-esteem and self-confidence
Overcoming certain fears
Self-knowledge
Motivation

6. Outcomes of hippotherapy (II)
Social level:
In communication (verbal and non-verbal)
Developing team and co-operation and socialization
Developing a relation between the therapist and the trainee
Social interaction: e.g. a)triple interaction among the trainee, the horse and the trainer, b)interaction among the trainee and other riders, horses, the staff of the union and visitors

7. Outcomes of hippotherapy (III)
Physical level:
Reducing spastic and comforting muscle tone
Improving control of head, trank and pulvis
Promoting correct body posture
Improving balance
Promoting and improving walking
Increasing movements of joints
Refusing pathological movements and promoting natural ones
Improving co-ordination
Developing aesthetic-kinetic and vision kinetic system (sense completion) etc.

8. Who can benefit from hippotherapy
Therapeutic educational riding might be applied in people with:
Orthopedic injuries
Cardio respiratory problems
Neurological damages
Psychological difficulties
Visual problems
Learning difficulties
Mental disease
Brain damage at young age (e.g. stroke paralysis)
Multiple sclerosis
Brain damages
…….

9. Who can benefit from hippotherapy (II)
Hippotherapy will not replace classical special education physiotherapy, ergotherapy and psychotherapy but it will complete them effectively. In order for the patient to attend the sessions of hippotherapy, his/her doctor has to approve it.
In hippotherapy, the following take part in the activity: the horse, the rider, the trainer, the horse guide and their assistants.
Through getting know the horse, its care, exercises and games, rides and conversations with people who take part in this activity, the rider develops kinetic, psychological and social skills.

10. Hippotherapy in Greece
In 1983 hippotherapy came to Greece thanks to the initiative and work of Aideen Lewis.
The Therapeutic Riding Association of Greece (TRAG) was established in 1992, as a non-profit, volunteers' organization with a solid social goal; one year later, TRAG was also recognized as a sports organization.
The Greek Scientific Association of Therapeutic Riding and Hippotherapy (GSATRH), established in 90’s, is a non-profit organization whose focus and goal is the rehabilitation of handicapped children and adults.

11. The “Politropo” project
“Politropo”, a local non-government organization, implemented a pilot programme in for the access of handicapped people to therapeutic riding.
The programme was implemented in Volos and N. Ionia (prefecture of Magnesia) and it was free for teenagers and adults who took part in it.
It was financed by the European Union (75%) and the Ministry of Occupation and Social Security (25%) and lasted for 1 year.
The programme was supported by the Greek Union of Therapeutic Riding, the Association of Parents and Friends of Magnesia with the co-operation the municipalities of Volos and N. Ionia in Magnesia.

12. References
Wikipedia
Politropo (
American Hippotherapy Association (AHA) (
Therapeutic Riding Association of Greece (TRAG) (

13. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION
1st Junior high school of Volos