Therapeutic Riding in the National Riding School – Budapest
T. Laurencz, E. – Peres, V. – Tatár, A.
„HIPPOTHERAPY” Therapeutic Riding and Vaulting Foundation – Budapest
The history
In 1993 the “HIPPOTHERAPY” – Therapeutic Riding and Vaulting Foundation has been established with the objective to significantly improve the quality of life for our disabled fellow human beings using this new kind of rehabilitation method. A 3-year experimental therapeutic riding program had preceded the founding.
In 1995 the 1st National Conference on the “Professional Methodology of Therapeutic Riding” has been organized. All organizations working with therapeutic riding in Hungary and interested individuals were represented at this event. We exchanged our experiences and became familiar with each other’s work.
In 1997, the first training course in therapeutic riding started in Hungary, as a result of the co-operation between the Training Center of the Hungarian University of Physical Education, the Hungarian Equestrian Federation and the “HIPPOTHERAPY” Therapeutic Riding and Vaulting Foundation. As of today, the third class has already finished their program of training.
In 1999, the Therapeutic Riding and Training Center opened its gates, which hosts therapeutic riding sessions, and is at the same time the professional workshop of therapeutic riding trainers and therapists.
In 2000, as a result of the integration of higher education institutions, the Training Center of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Science of Semmelweis University (TF) also became our partner in the therapeutic riding training program. This co-operation opened new horizons for us. Also in the same year The 2nd National Conference of Professional Methodology of Therapeutic Riding was organized.
Beside the therapeutic riding and training program, our most important task is to provide therapeutic riding sessions for the disabled, which we presently do with three specially trained horses. This service is provided free of charge for all those interested. The Foundations activity can be divided into the three main areas of therapeutic riding.