Horses As Cerebral Palsy Treatment

February 15, 2008

In my years of work with horses both as a riding instructor and therapeutic riding volunteer, I’ve been privileged to meet and work with children and adults suffering from cerebral palsy. Their brains don’t function well enough to entirely control their bodies, but they have big hearts, beautiful smiles, and caring personalities. They also have one other thing in common: they’ve significantly benefited from riding horses.

Overview of Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral (brain) Palsy (physical disorder) refers to damage to the brain that results in physical disabilities. It’s not a problem with the body itself, rather it’s a the brain’s inability to adequately control the body. There are a variety of types and severities of cerebral palsy.

• Spastic (difficult or stiff movement)
• Ataxic (loss of depth perception and balance)
• Athetoid/Dyskinetic (uncontrolled or involuntary movements)
• Mixed (a mix of two or more of the above)

The damage is typically inflicted by an injury during the birth process, but can occur later from damage to the brain. Symptoms usually appear within a child’s first few years and generally do not worsen over time.

Some people with cerebral palsy are wheelchair-bound, some walk with assistance, and some are able to move on their own. Life expectancy depends on severity of the condition as well as nutrition and lifestyle.

Horses As Therapy
As therapeutic riding grows, using horses as therapy for both the mind and body is becoming more widespread across the globe.

Riding horses is so effective for people with cerebral palsy because it targets several key weaknesses associated with the disorder. It’s benefits include:

• improving core strength
• stimulating circulation and muscles in the legs
• achieving balance
• improving posture
• improving muscle strength

When a rider sits on a horse, the movement of the horse’s sides between the legs simulates the same movements as walking. This increases blood flow and stimulates the muscles.

In order to follow the movement of the horse, riders must develop good balance and core strength. Much of staying on and moving with a horse comes from your trunk.

It takes more than just the reins to turn a horse; riders use their eyes and heads, and twist the body side to side to help direct the horse. You lean slightly forward to go faster and sit up tall and deep to slow down. All of these exercises help to improve motor skills and core strength. And as riders progress, depending on their physical ability, they can improve coordination skills as well as balance, core, and leg strength.

Riding horses is also a great outlet for physical activity, which is so important for the health of people with cerebral palsy but can be difficult to come by.

Most importantly, kids and adults with cerebral palsy learn to connect with horses, building a trusting relationship that is fun, rewarding, and life-changing. Horses are incredibly compassionate creatures. They are attuned to their riders slightest movement and respond accordingly, fostering team work and a sense of accomplishment with their rider.

Hippotherapy vs. Therapeutic Riding Programs
Hippotherapy and equine-assisted therapy differ primarily in practice and cost.

Hippotherapy is performed by a licensed physical therapist and has very specific physical tasks and goals. It is very expensive (can run $150-200 per session), like any therapy, and is sometimes covered by medical insurance.

Therapeutic riding, also known as equine-assisted activites, on the other hand is more like riding lessons for physically and mentally disabled as well as kids and adults with behavioral or emotional issues. Cost is significantly less (generally $15-30 per session), and most centers make it available through sponsorship if families can’t afford to pay. Equine-assisted activities are taught by riding instructors with the help of volunteers who lead the horses and sidewalk next to the riders to ensure their safety. Lessons are often taught in groups, which helps students to make friends and build confidence.

The North American Riding For the Handicapped Association is the country’s governing body for therapeutic riding. It provides accreditation for facilities and certification for instructors.

Success Stories
B is a 22-year-old young lady with a severe case of mixed cerebral palsy. She is confined to a wheelchair with few motor skills. She rides a pony named Goldie who is a perfect little angel. Through riding, B continues to slowly but surely increase her core strength and balance. She is learning to turn her shoulders to help steer the horse. She is having fun and getting regular exercise. B also loves to interact with the volunteers. She wants to know more about each of us, and remembers what we tell her. She also asks inquisitive and intelligent questions about the horses and riding.

A was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a toddler after suffering brain damage during a bout with bronchitis. Doctors didn’t expect her to live 3-4 years and recommended that her parents put her in an institute for care. They refused, and shortly after took her to ride in the Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program. A is now 21, living in a private apartment, and is a dean’s list student and member of a an honors sorority at Edinboro University.

J was born with cerebral palsy and suffered from deformed, weak legs and poor core strength. He rode at Pegasus for years when he was young, and greatly increased his core and leg strength. He also says that he greatly developed his confidence through the therapeutic riding program. J is now 25, in seminary in Kentucky, and working as a landscaper. While he doesn’t ride currently, J learned how to exercise the weaker muscles in his legs and is better able to keep them strong now.

For more of my experiences at Pegasus Farm and changes I’ve seen in our students, see some of my earlier posts:

• Huge benefits of therapeutic riding
• Therapeutic riding for flexibility and confidence
• Working with obstinate students and riding breakthroughs
• A volunteer gets a chance to instruct and one student’s major improvements
• Autistic student shows significant improvement
• Extreme Home Makeover Therapeutic Riding Edition

Therapeutic Riding Resources

• North American Riding for the Handicapped Association: NARHA is the governing body in for therapeutic riding. They provide training and certification for instructors and facilities as well as various resources. Visit their site to learn more or to find a certified instructor or accredited facility in your area (select your state and click go for all premiere accredited facilities and registered instructors).
• Therapeutic riding articles on Equisearch.com
• U.S. Equestrian Paralympics news
• Official FEI Para-Equestrian Site

Cerebral Palsy Resource
4 My Child is a cerebral palsy resource filled with information on diagnosis, treatments, therapies, and more information regarding this condition. They also provide assistance for medical, educational, and emotional needs. Be sure to visit their resource blog and forum.

Posted in Therapeutic Riding