Hi I am a medical student at Bristol University and am conducting a study hippotherapy. This involves the use of horseriding in order to benefit people with a huge variety of disorders ranging from MS, Cystic fibrosis etc to autism. I was wondering if anybody had any experiences with this therapy/ rehabilitation (good or otherwise) which they would be able to tell me about. Thank you

-- Anonymous, October 12, 2001

Answers

Hi Juliette

Not sure if this will work and that you will get this email but I thought it was worth a try.

I'm currently doing my dissertation on the effects riding and horse care has on children with Autism. I know it's cheeky but do you have any information that might help me?

The study doesn't look so much at hippotherapy in sense of physical therapy but looks at what mental benefits the horses provide.

Hope to hear from you soon

Emmie

-- Anonymous, March 13, 2002

Hello, I'm involved with RDA in New Zealand and would be happy to offer any help I can. A lot of our riders are autistic and we also see riders with behaviour problems, chronic depression, head injuries and c/p. If I can be of any help, let me know. Cheers , Lyndsey

-- Anonymous, May 03, 2002

I am 31 years of age and suffer from spastic diplegia (cp) I have been riding since the age of 4, as a consequence I am much less stiff and am much more mobile.. The riding also acts as a safety valve for depression and stress and helps with confidence. Riding and involvement with horses has been a great help to me over the years. The benefit has also been passed to my son who has ADHD, he is very calm and seems to respond well to his pony,caring and sharing the work with me... it has boosted his low self esteem and given him a reason to concentrate.

I hope this has helped your research and if I can be of any further assistance,please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours Jenny ps thanks for being interested!!!!!

-- Anonymous, August 17, 2002