What is the idea?

Horses have been used in health care since the beginning of the history of Medicine. Its origin dates from ancient Greece. Between 460 – 377 B.C., Hippocrates wrote a chapter on “Natural Exercise” and mentioned the benefits of riding. In 1569, Merkurialis from Italy wrote on “The Art of Gymnastics” mentioning horseback riding, and in 1780, in France, Tissot wrote in his book, “Medical and Surgical Gymnastics,” about motion of the horse as the most beneficial for gait. At the turn of this century, England recognized riding for the disabled as a beneficial form of therapy and offered riding therapy for wounded soldiers at the Oxford Hospital during WWI. By the 1950’s, British physiotherapists were exploring the possibilities of riding as therapy for all types of handicaps. When Liz Hartel from Denmark won the silver medal, in 1952, for Grand Pris Dressage at the Helsinki Olympic Games—despite her paralysis from polio—medical and equine professionals began to take notice and centers for therapeutic riding began forming in Europe. Today, Therapeutic Riding is practiced in most countries throughout the world. Disabled riders demonstrate their remarkable accomplishments in national and international sports riding competitions. Therapeutic Horseback Riding was recognized by the Federal Council of Medicine in Brazil on 09/04/1997 being taught as subject in physical therapy programs at Universities in Brazil.