Horse Riding is Also Recognized as Having Outstanding Therapeutic Qualities!

The cultural hub of South Africa’s Westernriding as part of rehabilitation regimens. Both are
Province, Cape Town offers the visitor anguided by a medical model but differ slightly in the
increasingly broad variety of exciting accommodationway they are implemented.
and activity choices. Sightseeing, safaris, ethnicIn Equine Assisted Psychotherapy a certified medical
experiences and much, much more await the keenprofessional utilizes the unique qualities of horseback
traveler in the Mother City.riding in various ways for therapeutic benefit;
Those who enjoy outdoor activities are in for a treatwhereas Hippo therapy (a name derived from the
– Cape Town is situated in the midst of theGreek word for horse, ‘hippo’) involves a
Cape Floral Kingdom, a habitat so rare that it hascertified therapist using the horse itself, as well as
been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in orderthe relationship between the patient and the animal,
to better protect it. A beautifully fragile ecosystemas a therapeutic tool. In both instances patients
consisting mainly of Fibs, a type of flora peculiar toafflicted by conditions as diverse as Autism, Cerebral
this region, it has been identified as one of thePalsy, for more details visit to Down syndrome and
world’s 18 biodiversity hotspots.Multiple Sclerosis stand to benefit from riding therapy
A variety of Cape Town tours and outdoor activityin a number of ways.
providers operate from this breathtaking setting andThe most easily recognizable benefits are physical. An
in recent years, for more details visit to horse ridingextremely physical activity, horse riding can improve
has become an especially favored pastime of bothbalance, joint movement and muscle tones in children
locals and visitors alike. There is nothing like a relaxingand adults with physical disabilities and special needs.
stroll along the beach or a bracing cross-countryFurthermore, the complex nature of the sport and
outride to do away with the stress and cobwebs ofthe multi-sensory tasks it involves provide cognitive
daily life. Horse riding has been proven to have a hostand mental stimulation. On an emotional level, bonding
of health benefits that range from cardiovascularwith an animal is beneficial for people with social and
fitness to muscle conditioning and improved balance.psychological disabilities. Riding indicates a direct
Add to this the simple pleasure of having the wind inconnection between action and reaction and can go a
your hair and the majestic feeling of establishing along way in explaining the concept of cause and
connection with an animal much larger than yourselfeffect. Effective communication, trust and loyalty are
and you get an outdoor activity that is as healthy asfurther positive lessons to be learnt in the process of
it is fun.riding.
Horse riding is also recognized as having outstandingNo matter which way you choose to look at it, horse
therapeutic qualities. There are references to theriding is a very healthy leisure pursuit. So next time
benefits of therapeutic riding as far back as 600 BC,you visit Cape Town and are looking for things to do,
when Socrates wrote of the "riding's healing rhythm"why not arrange for a pleasant outing with an
for both mental and physical improvement. Horsesestablishment that facilitates riding lessons and
were also used in the rehabilitation of woundedactivities? You only stand to benefit and you’ll
soldiers after World War II. Equine Assistedget to experience the Mother City from a whole
Psychotherapy and Hippo therapy are two types ofdifferent angle.
psycho-physical treatment that make use of horse