Equine Therapy for Brain injury

The multidimensional movements of a walking horse — slow, rhythmic, repetitive, and continuous — and its strong base of support make it an excellent tool for increasing muscle strength and control in the patient. A patient sitting on a horse will feel the walking action of the animal (very similar to normal human gait) and will respond physically by shifting and moving parts of the body to maintain balance. “We can use machines for rehabilitation, but they will only work one muscle group at a time,” says Sumpter. “In the saddle, the patient makes the mental/physical connection and responds by moving the trunk, arms, shoulders, and head as needed.” For example, during gait transitions, the patient must read the movement and then perform subtle adjustments in the trunk to maintain a stable position. Balance, coordination, spinal strength, weight bearing and shifting, and overall endurance show marked improvement in a short space of time and enhance functional daily living skills.