Influence of Horse - Assisted Therapy on the Motor, Psychological and Social Aspects of Children

Terapija je proces kojim se želi izliječiti bolest, ublažiti posljedice i simptome uzrokovane bolešću ili nekim tjelesnim nedostatkom. Danas postoje razne vrste terapija koje su usmjerene na više aspekata čovjeka, odnosno njegove motoričke sposobnosti, psihološke karakteristike te socijalne sposobnosti. Osim stručnjaka specijaliziranih za provođenje terapija u proces mogu biti uključene i životinje, između kojih i konj. Terapije i aktivnosti pomoću konja vrsta su terapije u kojoj uz voditelja, odnosno instruktora konj sudjeluje u procesu izlječenja ili poboljšavanja stanja osoba s invaliditetom i djece s teškoćama. U sam proces terapija i aktivnosti pomoću konja osim voditelja i konja uključeni su volonteri koji svojim radom doprinose kvaliteti programa terapije. Korisnici prijavljeni na terapiju osobe su koje zbog motorički, psiholoških ili socijalnih teškoća polaze program radi poboljšanja kvalitete života. Najčešći korisnici terapije su djeca s teškoćama. Terapija pomoću konja ima utjecaj na širok spektar teškoća djece, a uključuju motoričke teškoće, psihološke teškoće i teškoće socijalnog karaktera. Provedeno je kratko anketno istraživanje u kojem su sudjelovali konjički klubovi i udruge na području Republike Hrvatske koje provode program terapija i aktivnosti pomoću konja. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi trenutno stanje provođenja terapija pomoću konja na području Republike Hrvatske. Osim utvrđivanja trenutnog stanja provođenja programa, utvrđivala se učestalost provođenja programa terapija pomoću konja te utjecaj istih na korisnike programa.Therapy is a process that aims to cure a certain disease, alleviate the consequences and symptoms caused by a disease or some physical deficiency. Today, there are various types of therapies that are focused on several aspects of a person, i.e. his motor skills, psychological characteristics and social skills. In addition to experts specialized in carrying out therapies, animals, including horses, can also be involved in the process. Therapies and activities using horses are a type of therapy in which, along with the leader or instructor, the horse participates in the process of healing or improving the condition of people with disabilities and children with disabilities. In the very process of therapy and activities using horses, in addition to leaders and horses, volunteers who contribute to the quality of the therapy program with their work are involved. Users registered for therapy are persons who, due to motor, psychological or social difficulties, are participating in the program to improve their quality of life. The most frequent users of therapy are children with disabilities. Horse therapy has an impact on a wide range of children's difficulties, including motor difficulties, psychological difficulties and difficulties of a social nature. A short survey was conducted in which equestrian clubs and associations in the territory of the Republic of Croatia, that implement a program of therapies and activities using horses, participated. The goal of the research was to determine the current state of horse therapy in the Republic of Croatia. In addition to determining the current state of the implementation of the program, the frequency of the implementation, as well as the impact of the program on its users were also determined