Children receive equestrian therapy in Wenjiang

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2015-12-29

Children with Down’s syndrome, infantile autism and cerebral palsy were treated to a special “horse-riding” experience in the Sichuan Bayi Rehabilitation Center in Wenjiang district, Chengdu, on Dec 24.

The children were first encouraged to touch and feed the horses to overcome their fear of the strange environment and large animals. Next, they rode on horseback with the help of therapists to build up their confidence and boost their hand-eye coordination and body balance.

The equestrian therapy was part of the follow-up activities of the 9th National Games for Persons with Disabilities & the 6th Special Olympics National Games of the People’s Republic of China, which was held in Chengdu in September.

Equestrian therapy has been employed to treat people with limb or mental disabilities for decades. “The effects for children are particularly good,” said Wang Yanting, a professional equestrian therapist.

By Shi Zihan and edited by Peter Nordlinger