Characteristics of hippotherapeutic horses in Poland

Abstract

This study analysed selected traits of hippotherapeutic horses and the ways of using themin Poland. The studies were carried out with 86 horses from 18 hippotherapy centres. Based on the collected data, it was concluded that, on average, 4.8 horses per centre were used for hippotherapy purposes. These were most commonly Huculs (30%) or cross-bred horses (18%) and, less often, Polish koniks (13%) and Fjord horses (10%). Geldings (63%) constituted the majority of the population. The average age of a horse used in hippotherapy was 10.4 years. The choice of horses for hippotherapeutic purposes in the analysed centres does not raise any objections, although the way they are used is alarming. As many as 41% of the horses started working too early, before turning 5 years of age. Moreover, the horses worked too intensively during one day (on average for 4.9 hours) while being irregularly used in a week (for 3.2 days per week, on average). Such a method of use reduces the level of animals’ welfare and may result in their premature elimination from hippotherapy.