Equine therapy in a broad sense (care, support, sport-leisure) : What differences ?

Animal therapy involves seeking for positive interaction when man and animal are intentionally put together in an educational, social or therapeutical relationship. This is the definition of the Sommer foundation: foundation for the development of practices based on human-animal interactions.

For the  French equestrian federation (FFE) and the SIPME (interprofessional syndicate for equine therapy), equine therapy or therapy with horses in the broad sense, is defined as seeking positive effects brought about by the presence of horses, or through equestrian activities for people with special needs, in the presence of a professional.

It therefore includes healthcare, social welfare, equestrian sports or leisure, coaching and high level paralympic sport. Any differences will stem from the objective, the qualifications of the professional(s), the activities offered, and their duration over time.

When the activities required for the beneficiary are focused on healthcare (psychological or motor-sensory rehabilitation), or on socio-educational issues, the aim is therapeutical, educational or social therapy. The activities will then be overseen by a medical or social welfare professional. In this case the aim is not learing to ride, but using the horse as a mediator between the person and the medical or welfare professional, with a specific aim in mind, with regard to the person’s needs.

Therapy with horses and equi-therapy

Hippotherapy

In addition to their medical care diploma, they have frequently followed short specialised training courses in France, Belgium or Canada… Hippotherapy is sometimes used as additional therapy for people suffering from infantile cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, mutiple sclerosis….

Other equine-assisted therapies with therapeutical, educational or social aims, of which equine-assisted psychtherapy

In the case of social assistance and equine assisted psychotherapy activities (actions within the framework of social action with an educational, social, therapeutical or leisure based aim), the professionals involved are typically from the social welfare sector (with or without additional training mentionned above) or they are certified equine therapists (trained through Handicheval/ Equit’aide).

Senior citizens, children and teens in broken family or school situation, law offenders can also benefit from this type of equine assisted therapy in well defined help and healthcare programmes.

When the activities sought after are geared towards sport, fun or leisure, they are also called equine assisted activities. These activities do not have a specific health care aim. They are typically taught by riding instructors.

In a riding school different equestrian activities are on offer, from the beginner to the advanced level rider depending on :

• The person’s potential
• The instructor’s qualifications
• The reception facilities and the horses

Here is some interesting information on this topic.

Activities for people with physical or cognitive disabilities

The FFSA organises a specific circuit of equestrian competitions at regional and national levels. Some people can also take part in ordianry competitions.

Activities geared towards people with motor or sensory disabilities

The disciplines mainly practiced are para-dressage, show jumping, eventing and carriage driving. There is a French Fedration Handisport (FFH) which manages competitions for the paralympic disciplines. The FFE has had authority for paradressage since 2017.

Activities for people experiencing social difficulties

Activities for people with social difficulties are taught by riding teachers with or without additional specialised training dispensed since 2017 by the FFE : The federal certificate for Equisocial teaching  (BFEES)

Different types of structure cater for special needs people :
    • Riding schools: a lot of riding scools offer one or the other of these services, sometimes in partnership with professionals from the medico-social welfare sector. Some are certified by the FFE as « Equi Handi club » depending on their facilities, horses and the teaching staff’s qualifications. There are three different possible references :
        ◦ Equi Handi Mental
        ◦ Equi Handi Motor and sensory
        ◦ Equi Handi Social
The list of approved riding schools can be found in the Regional equestrian committees’ (CRE) directories, as for example in Nouvelle Aquitaine.

• Specialised riding schools for adapted riding and/or for equine assisted therapy.
• Institutions accomodating beneficiaries, which have their own riding school or equine assisted therapy centre.