Special needs children receive therapy on horseback

Patients with depression, Down syndrome, autism and ADD can receive hippotherapy sessions at Selçuk University's riding facilities under the guidance of expert therapists. The facility offers hippotherapy, a form of treatment which involves horses, under the direction of Emel Gürbüz, the head of the riding facility and lecturer at the university's animal nutrition and diseases department. According to Gürbüz, hippotherapy positively affects patients with psychological problems.

"You can see improvement in a very short time, if you apply an effective program," Gürbüz said. She said that the courses take place over the course of three or four months. The facility accepts patients with the consent of a physician and an expert therapist is responsible for the patients throughout the treatment. Children with behavioral problems are also being treated with hippotherapy. "A child, who once was not able to put one foot on the ground due to the side-effects of drugs, is now able to walk. Our patient also do not use drugs anymore," she added. Housing 24 horses, the facility also has a club run by Turkey's Federation for Riding. Gürbüz said that they generally prefer to work with Haflingers, a breed of horse raised in Austria. In general, horses walk like humans and their movements transmit signals to the patient's brain while riding.

"Hippotherapy stimulates different centers in the brain like speaking, balance and movement. The patient's muscle strength and posture are developed through the sessions. This form of therapy also helps their physical and mental functions. This therapy is beneficial for both children and adults," she went on to say. Gürbüz said that horses must be relaxed and healthy to be used in the therapy sessions. "There are some similar centers around Turkey, but they do not give professional training. Special methods can be required for each patient. For different handicaps, we recommend different therapies. A number of children come here and sessions generally take place in an indoor space. Families can also watch their children while enjoying themselves at the cafe," she concluded.