The hippotheraphy as a therapeutic resource in the equilibrium of elderly

Abstract

The hippotherapy is a technique of rehabilitation and education using the riding and equestrian activities to provide practicing physical benefits, psychological, educational and social. This activity requires the participation of the whole body, the practitioner working in a general way using the horse as a therapeutic method thus contributing to the development of equilibrium, tone, muscle strength, awareness of own body, the improvement of motor coordination, attention, self-confidence and self esteem. This study was based on a literature review with the objective of verifying the effects of hippotherapy in the equilibrium of elder. hippotherapy in the elder will use the horse as a mediator to meet the deficit of equilibrium due to its three-dimensional motion, swinging rhythm and that will stimulate the vestibular system, the improvement of spatial-temporal awareness, concentration, equilibrium and consolidate its own security gravitational leaving the elder less vulnerable to falls, because the manifestations of disorders of body equilibrium has great impact on the elder, may lead them to reduce their social autonomy, the predisposition to falls and fractures, reducing their activities of daily living bringing suffering , immobility, fear of falling again and with the high costs of health treatment and functional disability.