Hiporehabilitation as Digital Education Interaction

Our Mobility to Gerês in Portugal

Hiporehabilitation as Digital Education Interaction is a wonderful ERASMUS+ Project -2022-3-CZ01-KA153-YOU-000102111 we have been involved, and ending at the final of the present year, 2024. 4 Organizations from 4 European Countries have worked together to develop the Project over 2 years: in Croatia, Krila-terapijsko jahanje, Zagreb, in Türkiye (Nevşehir Hacı Bektaş Veli University, Nevsehir, in Portugal, TheKidsFellows - Research Group in Anthrozoology, and Czechia, the coordinator, JK Fany Hostěnice

The project aimed to improve the quality of work with youth with disabilities by deepening cooperation between partner organizations in hiporehabilitation equestrian activities.

#hippotherapy is a world-famous method of using therapeutic horse riding for children, youth, and adults with various types of health disabilities.

Where the therapeutic effects of horseback riding in hippotherapy ends and it is possible to proceed further, the therapeutic effects begin with adapted riding disciplines.

These can be simple movement exercises on the horse. This equestrian branch was called paravaulting and this activity itself follows its rules for movement preparation.

The happiness of these athletes performing is evident and sometimes fundamental in their quality of life and mental health.

The aim of the project was mainly to increase the professional potential of hiporehabilitation lecturers, to share and acquire new knowledge and skills necessary for the successful implementation of innovative methods and thus to ensure a continuous improvement in the quality of youth work.

In some countries, other adapted equestrian disciplines developed. In Portugal, ParaDriving is mainly developed in the North, in Gerês by the Team of Equidesafios, which work with the kids from APCB Hipical Center.

We had the luck to come there to Braga and learn the history of the beginning of this discipline in Portugal, the challenges they have to deal with, but also the amazing Grants they already won!

We also could see how well these kids managed the little poney, galloping in the middle of the obstacles.

It was amazing and so good for all of us, especially seeing their happiness!!!!