La Revista de Sotogrande / Hipoterapia
Trot t i n g fo r L i fe Indio, Sombra, Pepito and Cafelito. These four names might not mean anything to you, but for many youngsters who suffer from some kind of disability one of these four horses is not just their best friend but also probably their best therapist. Riding therapy consists of using horses to treat people with physical or mental disabilities; it has already been consolidated as one of the most beneficial forms of therapy for children and, in Sotogrande, it has a leading centre.
T
here are many treatments that help people who have some kind of disability, but not all of them offer such good results as the ones that are obtained from riding. In a natural setting and on the back of a horse, children experience significant improvements, both in their physical development and their emotional state.
syndrome, spina bifida and other undiagnosed conditions. Owing to the young age of these children with disabilities undergoing riding therapy, one of the main aims of the activities is to promote integration with their families. To do so, parents are urged to get involved and take part in the therapy. To this end, the centre often organises days on which the kids’ family members can share experiences, ask questions and exchange tips.
Riding therapy centre
Santa María Polo Club in Sotogrande is now home to a leading riding therapy centre. Over 75 people with disabilities visit this non-profit foundation. At least once a week, the participants take part in half-hour sessions: the first fifteen minutes are always devoted to rehabilitation and preparation by the physiotherapists and then the final quarter of an hour is devoted to riding. This valuable work is done by just three people. A physiotherapist, an expert rider and a riding instructor and specialist conduct the sessions and carry out the admin-
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istrative and maintenances tasks, and they even look after and feed the horses. The director of the foundation himself also helps out when necessary. A group of adults that attend two sessions per week are the exception to the rule, given that the bulk of the centre’s patients are under five years of age. Most of them suffer from cerebral palsy, although there are also youngsters with autism, Down’s
Almost all of the children attend the centre individually, since most associations lack their own transport. This is precisely one of the centre’s most coveted objectives: to obtain a subsidy in order to pay for a means of transport and a driver to bring the children from their respective associations to the foundation. Until this happens, the centre continues to make solid progress, with new smiles everyday on the faces of some great little riders.■