How Does Hippotherapy Help Those with Special Needs?

Other than the strong emotional connection with a large, beautiful non-judging animal friend, there are many physical benefits too:

• relaxing tight muscles and increasing balance
• building muscle strength
• sharpening hand/eye coordination
• gaining a sense of body-awareness
• gaining a sense of self-control and self-confidence
• improving communication and socialization
• improving concentration and patience
• improving fine motor coordination
• improving sensory integration

To find a center near you that provides therapeutic horseback riding, use this website:

www.NARHA.org North American Riding for the Handicapped Association