Hippotherapy: A tool for physical, emotional and social development

Viva and “Artissimo” continue to write their success story

The partnership launched eight months ago is already delivering meaningful results. Viva and the “Artissimo” Cultural Social Organization have reached significant milestones in their joint efforts to support children with special educational needs. This initiative is helping children take their first steps, say their first words, and demonstrate positive behavioral changes that also contribute to the  psychological well-being of their parents. For many families, each of these achievements represents a dream that has taken years to realize. Specialists at the “Voskeporik” Development Center attribute this progress to the integrated use of multiple therapeutic approaches.

As part of the program, children from the “Voskeporik” Development Center traveled in small groups from two provinces to Drakhtik to participate in another hippotherapy session. Every aspect of the program has been carefully planned to ensure its effectiveness, from creating the necessary facilities to selecting horses with the appropriate temperament and characteristics. Before the sessions, specialists conducted individual preparatory work with each child to help them overcome their fears, build trust, and achieve the best possible therapeutic outcomes.

“This team is doing tremendous work, and I am confident that their dedication and professionalism will lead to many more success stories. I am not an expert in hippotherapy, but I do know that there is compelling evidence supporting its effectiveness. Perhaps the best example is the story of Danish equestrian Lis Hartel. During her competitive career, she was left paralyzed after contracting polio. Yet she refused to let the disease define her future. Just 8 years later, she competed in Olympic dressage—against men—and won a silver medal at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games. Years later, she repeated the achievement by winning another Olympic silver medal. Through both her remarkable personal journey and her sporting accomplishments, Hartel demonstrated that horseback riding can be a powerful tool for rehabilitation.” Viva’s General Director Armen Avetisian said.

Katerina Horstka, an equestrian specialist trained in Switzerland, places special emphasis on hippotherapy and therapeutic adaptive riding as part of the educational and rehabilitation services. According to the specialist, the complex movements of the horse’s back muscles while walking provide a massaging and warming effect. It’s body temperature, which is 1,5 degrees higher than that of a human, stimulates blood circulation, boosts fine motor skills, and promotes a positive worldview in the child.

“With the support of Viva, we provide a wide range of educational, therapeutic, and rehabilitation services to children from two regions. While each of these services plays an important role, the accessibility and continuity of hippotherapy are especially vital to achieving lasting results. The horse’s natural, rhythmic movements are transmitted to the child’s body, stimulating the neuromuscular system and helping improve balance, posture, and coordination. In effect, the muscles receive the sensory input needed to support walking patterns. At the same time, the child participates in an engaging and motivating environment that encourages cooperation, active participation, and learning,” Katerina Horstka, founder of the “Artissimo” cultural NGO, said.

The specialists of the “Voskeporik” Development Centers render services to 200 children annually in the Vayots Dzor and Gegharkunik regions.

Within the framework of Viva's support program, 60 children receive educational and medical rehabilitation services by attending development centers in the Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor regions, contributing to their inclusive development. For many children, rehabilitation must be continuous, as interrupting the process makes it impossible to achieve the desired outcomes. Viva's support ensures the much-needed continuity of these essential services and change the kids’ quality of life.

The range of specialized educational and rehabilitation services includes sensory integration, psychological support within the scope of relationship between parents and children, speech therapy, fairy tale therapy, art therapy, music therapy, and hippotherapy.

To ensure the timely identification of potential developmental disorders and maximize the effectiveness of the support provided, specialists work not only with children but also with their parents.