AGAIN ABOUT HORSE BREEDING, FIRST TIME ABOUT HIPPOTHERAPY

Azat Artsakh – Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
26 May 05

It is astonishing why Armenia, together with a number of other
countries, almost gave up breeding this wonderful animal. Whereas, it
would be desirable if horse breeding developed in Artsakh too. It is a
fact that machines and cars cannot always replace man and draft
animals, and not always is this replacement beneficial for man. Cars
produce toxic substances, cause stress. And horses are not merely
cheap labour. The term `hippotherapy’ was coined of the words `
hippos’ horse and therapy. The beneficial effect of horse riding
onsick people was known to ancient people. The ancient Greeks used
this method to treat various traumas. It was especially popular among
soldiers, for they were often wounded or injured during wars. The
advantages of the method were pointed out by Hippocrates. However, in
the course of the centuries that followed the method of healing by
riding a horse was forgotten. And only in 1952 the American doctor Liz
Hartal brought back the method after conducting a long-lasting
research. At present there are hundreds of organizations in the USA,
Canadaand other developed countries in the world which practise the
method of hippotherapy. Modern alternative medicine says hippotherapy
can cure serious diseases, such as the diseases of the digestive,
vestibular and cardiovascular systems in only a year. The institutions
which use the method of hippotherapy are actually hippodromes or stud
farms where the patients ride bareback. The specialists help the
patients to sit on the horse firmly and hold the bridle leading the
horse round the place. The results prove that this simple action helps
to treat not only arthritis and dislocation but also cerebral stroke
and poliomyelitis. The effect of hippotherapy is explained by a
number of factors. First of all, coming in touch with this noble
animal arouses positive feelings, improves the physical state,
inspires optimism. Second, the temperature of the body of the horse is
higher by 1 degree than the temperature of man, and the warmth is
quickly transmitted to the person riding it. This favours the proper
physical evolution of adolescents. Third, the pace and the rhythmic
movements of thehorse develop the muscular system of man. And finally,
the person gains a new friend and waits for their next meeting with
positive emotions. At present,in our country it is almost impossible
to develop horse breeding on private farms. Therefore, it is
necessary to create collective stud farms on privileged loans. The
majority of farmers in Karabakh do not know how to feed a horse, take
care of it. Therefore, specialists need to be invited from Armenia. It
is desirable to breed the Karabakh Golden horse.

E. DANIELIAN.
26-05-2005

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress