Will Hillis is an 8-year-old boy from Dunwoody, Georgia who has cerebral palsy. The young boy has difficulties walking, and standing yet when he is riding horseback his emotional, and physical strength soars along with his confidence.

According to CNN, Hillis is one of many children and adults who have engaged in a new wave of therapy that is made up of primarily horseback riding. Hippotherapy as it’s called allows the patient to engage in physical, occupational or speech therapy sessions while going for a relaxing ride on a horse. Bonnie Cunningham, executive director of the hippotherapy association said that when the therapy was first created it was viewed as an alternative method of therapy because of its recreational approach. However, as the therapy continues to spread around the country, it also begins its entrance into mainstream therapy.

This type of therapy is helpful for people who have autism, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and those recovering from brain injuries. The patients climb and/or are lifted onto the back of the horses, which are specifically selected to comply with the needs of the patients and then it’s off they go. But don’t worry, as safety is a top priority. Patients first begin their hippotherapy sessions on a fake horse called an equicizer. The children and adults learn to adjust to the feel of the horse, and also learn how to control the different muscles that are required during riding. Once they are deemed ready by the trainers, they are then given the chance to don a real horse. Although the therapy can be a bit expensive for patients such as Will Hillis and his mother Kay Hillis, hippotherapy is truly worth ever penny.

Will’s therapist Brent Applegate believes that for children suffering from disabilities, hippotherapy is very beneficial both physically and emotionally.

“The one thing I don’t have to worry about out here is motivation. I mean these kids are out here riding on a horse. How cool is that?”

For more information about individual health insurance in North Carolina, contact IBD Insurance today!

Tags: Health, Health News, Healthy Living //