Using horseback riding exercises to improve walking skills and develop balance in children with cerebral palsy

Importance. Despite the high value of hippotherapy as a means of rehabilitation, currently in the available scientific literature there is very little information about targeted studies aimed at studying the influence of horse biomechanics on the patient and the walking and balance skills’ formation in the hippotherapy process. The aim of the study is to experimentally substantiate and evaluate the effectiveness of using a set of exercises on horseback to improve walking skills and balance development in children with cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods. Analysis of scientific and methodological literature and medical documentation, pedagogical observation, pedagogical experiment, functional testing using the “Habilect” method, methods of mathematical and statistical data processing. Results and Discussion. A hippotherapy course for children with cerebral palsy allows for positive dynamics in gait pattern indicators and brings them closer to the level of healthy children. Moreover, the maximum positive effect is recorded in such indicators as step length, step speed and step cycle. A significant corrective effect of hippotherapy for cerebral palsy has been proven. Conclusion. Horseback riding not only creates the basis for the correct motor act formation, but also comprehensively develops the child, making him brave, agile, resilient, determined and resourceful, which allows us to recommend the hippotherapy use, both in comprehensive rehabilitation programs and as an independent means for cerebral palsy.