Muscular flexibility in individuals with intellectual disabilities under the equine therapy: case study

The Equine therapy is a therapeutic method that seeks to develop biopsychosocial, cognitive and psychomotor development of the individual through practices and activities using the horse. The aim of this study was to analyze the flexibility of the posterior muscular chain of individuals with intellectual disabilities practicing hippotherapy. Evaluations were made using the method proposed by Wells and Dillon, in six children with Intellectual Disabilities, ages 7-15years before and after each hippotherapy session, held weekly. The gain in flexibility of the posterior muscular chain practitioners after each session was statistically significant in both group and individual assessment. It is concluded that the Hippotherapy is an effective method for promoting improvements in flexibility in practitioners with Intellectual Disabilities.