Grandma on a saddle. Grandpa with a stick is petting the horse. This sounds strange to many. Hippotherapy for the elderly is a reality. It helps with arthritis, dementia, depression, and recovery after strokes. The horse is a trainer, a psychotherapist, and a friend. In 2026, this method is actively used in Europe and is beginning to develop in Russia. We tell you how it works. What is Hippotherapy Hippotherapy is a rehabilitation method using horses. The term comes from Greek «hipos» — horse. Do not confuse it with therapeutic riding (TR), although these concepts are often mixed. Hippotherapy is conducted by specially trained instructors (often with a medical education) and doctors. The horse transmits thermal and mechanical impulses to the rider. The rhythmic swaying (gait of the horse) massages the muscles of the back and legs, stimulates blood circulation, and improves the function of internal organs. The rider has to maintain balance — this trains the vestibular apparatus. This is especially important for the elderly, as balance decreases, muscles weaken, and coordination deteriorates with age. The horse gently, without jerks, makes the body work. The psychotherapeutic effect: the horse is a living, warm, non-verbal being. Elderly people suffering from loneliness receive contact. Their cortisol levels (stress hormone) decrease, and their mood improves. How Lessons Are Conducted A session lasts 20-30 minutes. The elderly person is seated in a special saddle with back support. The instructor leads the horse by a halter (on a long rope). The speed is a walk. Sometimes a second assistant is involved — they support the rider from the side. Lessons can be passive (the elderly person simply sits, relaxed) and active (they perform exercises: lift their arms, turn their torso, bend over). For people with dementia, it is just to pet the horse, feed it by hand. This stimulates tactile sensations and memory. For the elderly with amputated limbs, special attachment ... Read more