Health Law

Foundation Funds Research on Hippotherapy and Cerebral Palsy

The Horses and Humans Research Foundation has granted $100,000 in funding to two universities, one of which will study the effect of hippotherapy (horse-assisted therapy) on head and body movement in 18 children with cerebral palsy.

A 2006 study showed that therapeutic horseback riding programs can benefit motor functioning in children with spastic diplegia, a common type of cerebral palsy, and in recent years, numerous equine-assisted therapy programs have been developed around the country to help individuals with disability.

This new study will be conducted over the course of 10 weeks by researchers at the University du Quebec a Trois-Rivieres, just northeast of Montreal. The other university to receive a grant, Good Hope Equestrian Training Center in Florida, will focus on the use of equine therapy in autistic children.

To learn more about equine-assisted therapies and studies, visit the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association or Horses and Humans.org.

Full post as published by Cerebral Palsy Law Blog on November 05, 2008 (boomark / email).