The value of horse riding as beneficial to promote general health and especially for the physically disabled has been known since 1782. It was noted that, as a result of the riding experience, the rider’s balance was improved, muscles were strengthened, joints were suppler and there was a marked improvement of the rider’s morale.

Several people with lesser disabilities could report in their own words on the positive effects of horse riding. Scientists referred to an endocrine effect in quadriplegics after horse-back riding, because they experienced it as a risky sport and the patient dismounting from a successful ride is therefore flushed with success and tremendous euphoria.

One of the most remarkable rehabilitation’s on horse-back was Liz Hartel, who in 1952 won a silver medal in Dressage at the Olympic Games in Helsinki, while she suffered from the effects of polio that she contracted as a young woman.

It has been suggested that participation in a therapeutic riding programme has the potentially positive psychosocial benefits on self-confidence, self-concept, self-esteem, motivation, attention span, spatial awareness, concentration, listening skills, interest in learning and verbal skills.

It could be argued that that the successful experiences of a rider may increase the rider’s sense of mastery, control and motivation. This may also improve the rider’s skills.

On horseback, each activity requires motor responses or behaviour. It is a known fact that integrated development of sensory and motor skills are important for physical and mental development. The following can be differentiated between:

• Neuro-motor activity – coordination & integration of reflexes.
• Sensory-motor activity – integration of proprioceptive & heteroceptive experiences.
• Sosio-motor activity – mutual understanding & interdependency of beings.

The above does not only apply to any growing or developing individual, but also to the therapeutic approach.

Different goals can be reached:

• Improvement of muscle tone and strength.
• General balance improves.
• Eye-muscles improve – influence on reading.
• Increased attention span and concentration.
• Hyperactive children tend to calm down.
• Tactile system is stimulated.
• Emotional/behavioural problems improve.
• Increased spatial and body awareness.
• Development of self-confidence and motivation.
• School performance can improve.
• Increase joint mobility and range of motion.
• Develops ability to organise and perform tasks in sequence.
• Integration of the two hemispheres of the brain.
• Sensory integration takes place.