MS and hippotherapy

SCHWEIZ. MS-GESELLSCHAFT SCHWEIZ. MS-GESELLSCHAFT

MORE SOLIDARITY Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society www.multiplesklerose.ch

SCHWEIZ. MS-GESELLSCHAFT SCHWEIZ. MS-GESELLSCHAFT

HIPPOTHERAPY-K®

Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society www.multiplesklerose.ch

SWISS MS-SOCIETY

3 | Swiss MS-Society| 12/05/2014

WHAT IS HIPPOTHERAPY-K® -

HOW AND WHEN IS IT USED?

Hippotherapy is a form of therapeutic

horsebackriding, basically physiotherapy

with a small horse. It is used in the

following cases:

• Diseases of the central nervous system;

• Problems with the muscosceletal system

Hippotherapy makes use of the walking

movements of the horse that are

transferred to the patient. This is a valued

addition to physotherapeutical movement-

therapy.

HIPPOTHERAPY-K® IS USED…

4 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014

• to fortify the muscles that sustain the

torso;

• to train the sitting balance and

encourage balance reaction;

• to reduce spasms (high muscle tension)

in the legs;

• to increase flexibility of the lumbar colum;

• to increase coordination within the spine;

• for a better perception of the body,

specifically the torso.


WHY SHOULD HIPPOTHERAPY-K® BE USED?


Hippotherapy-K® is a valued movement

experience. Often, walking ability is

reduced because of increased muscle

tension or/and coordination problems

with the legs or the torso.

Sitting on the horse allows easier, more

enjoyable strolls through nature.

The gait of the horse gives the patients a

feeling of the rocking movement that the

pelvis normally makes when walking.

WHY SHOULD HIPPOTHERAPY-K® BE USED?


By tensing up and relaxing the fine muscles of the spine,

the tension of the pelvis- and lumbar-musculature gets loosened.

Relaxation and fine muscular training also help to improve

the sitting posture.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE?


1. Step:

Get to know the horse by looking

at it, stroking it and getting a first

impression of it.

2. Step:

Entry report and practice of

climbing and declimbing, for

example on a wooden horse or a

barrel.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE?


3. Step:

Climbing the horse by ascending the

ramp alone or with help and sitting on

the horse that is held by the guide.

4. Step:

First, the patient is conducted on the

nature trails of the therapy premises.

When he feels enough secure for

further distances, the length of the

stroll is increased to about half an hour.

SWISS REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFICATION

AS HIPPOTHERAPIST FOR PEOPLE WITH MS


Professional requirements:

• Certified physiotherapist with at least one year of

experience in treatment of neurological patients;

• Basic training in functional kinematics (schooling in

analytical observation and treatment);

• Additional neurological training in treatment of adults

(basic training in Bobath or MS-training of at least 5

days)

Source: Schweizerische Gruppe für Hippotherapie-K®

SWISS REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFICATION

AS HIPPOTHERAPIST FOR PEOPLE WITH MS


Equine requirements:

Good riding ability and equine knowledge, experience in

handling horses, specifically guidance / working at hand.

Practical requirements:

Possibility to absolve an internship in supervised

Hippotherapy (between the clinical module and the final

exam).


WHAT IST THE MEANING OF THE «K»

IN HIPPOTHERAPY-K®?


Under the umbrella term «Hippotherapy» there are

interantionally very different understandings of therapeutic

activities with horses.

Hippotherapy-K® is a clearly defined application that is used

to diffenrentiate towards other equine activities with

therapeutic and orthopaedagogic aims.


WHAT IST THE MEANING OF THE «K»

IN HIPPOTHERAPY-K®?


«K®» stands for «Künzle», the name of its

founder.

Thanks to its differentiation, Hippotherapy-K®

was in 1994 officially acknowledged by health

insurance companies as medical means for

people with MS and children with cerebral palsy.

The therapy is prescribed by the doctor and is

conducted by specially trained physiotherapists.


EFFECTIVENESS OF THE TREATMENT


52% 38%

10%

promotes relaxationand ease of tension

improves balance, trainsstrengh, promotes walkingwithout help, reduces pain

increases wellbeing, is fun,relaxes body and mind,a nice experience

Evaluation of the effect, perceived by patients

EFFECT OF HIPPOTHERAPY-K® TO THE GENERAL

WELLBEING OF THE PATIENTS


Evaluation of the effect, perceived by doctors

36%

29%

21%

14%

reduces spasms, loosens muscles,improves flexibility

improves balance and coordinationstanding/walking, improves existingskills

encourages independence, increasesquality of life and self-esteem,improves general condition,encourages motivation and trust

fun, enthusiasm, a nice experience

CONTACT ADDRESSES


Switzerland:

Verein – Schweizer Gruppe für Hippotherapie-K®:

www.hippotherapie-K.org

Germany:

DKThR – Deutsches Kuratorium für therapeutisches Reiten:

www.dkthr.de

Austria:

Österreichisches Kuratorium für therapeutisches Reiten:

www.oktr.at

Further information:

ESAAT – European Society for Animal Assisted Therapy:

www.esaat.org

http://www.hippotherapie-k.org/



http://www.dkthr.de/

http://www.oktr.at/

http://www.esaat.org/


Thank you for your attention! Zürich, May 2014 / Therese Lüscher

Thank you!


In the name of the 10'000 people with MS.

Health & Medicine

MS and hippotherapy