In Switzerland, Hippotherapy-K® is applied for central neurological disorders in the brain and spine. It is acknowledged and paid for by health insurances in the case of Multiple Sclerosis. Riding the horse loosens spasms in the legs and reduces coordination disorders while sitting. The movements and rhythm of the horse are optimally used. Hippotherapy-K® („K“ stands for its Swiss founder, Ursula Künzle) is an acknowledged medical method in which the threedimensional gait of the horse is transferred to the patient. This trains the muscles that sustain the torso, stabilises the spine and supports balancing abilities. The joints of the pelvis and spine are mobilised in an optimal way.

1. SCHWEIZ. MS-GESELLSCHAFTSCHWEIZ. MS-GESELLSCHAFTMORE SOLIDARITY
Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society www.multiplesklerose.ch

2. SCHWEIZ. MS-GESELLSCHAFTSCHWEIZ. MS-GESELLSCHAFT
HIPPOTHERAPY-K®
Swiss Multiple Sclerosis Society www.multiplesklerose.ch
SWISS MS-SOCIETY

3. 3 | Swiss MS-Society| 12/05/2014
WHAT IS HIPPOTHERAPY-K® -
HOW AND WHEN IS IT USED?
Hippotherapy is a form of therapeutic
horsebackriding, basically physiotherapy
with a small horse. It is used in the
following cases:
• Diseases of the central nervous system;
• Problems with the muscosceletal system
Hippotherapy makes use of the walking
movements of the horse that are
transferred to the patient. This is a valued
addition to physotherapeutical movement-
therapy.

4. HIPPOTHERAPY-K® IS USED…
4 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
• to fortify the muscles that sustain the
torso;
• to train the sitting balance and
encourage balance reaction;
• to reduce spasms (high muscle tension)
in the legs;
• to increase flexibility of the lumbar colum;
• to increase coordination within the spine;
• for a better perception of the body,
specifically the torso.

5. 5 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014

6. WHY SHOULD HIPPOTHERAPY-K® BE USED?
6 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
Hippotherapy-K® is a valued movement
experience. Often, walking ability is
reduced because of increased muscle
tension or/and coordination problems
with the legs or the torso.
Sitting on the horse allows easier, more
enjoyable strolls through nature.
The gait of the horse gives the patients a
feeling of the rocking movement that the
pelvis normally makes when walking.

7. WHY SHOULD HIPPOTHERAPY-K® BE USED?
7 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
By tensing up and relaxing the fine muscles of the spine,
the tension of the pelvis- and lumbar-musculature gets loosened.
Relaxation and fine muscular training also help to improve
the sitting posture.

8. WHAT ISTHE PROCEDURE?
8 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
1. Step:
Get to know the horse by looking
at it, stroking it and getting a first
impression of it.
2. Step:
Entry report and practice of
climbing and declimbing, for
example on a wooden horse or a
barrel.

9. WHAT ISTHE PROCEDURE?
9 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
3. Step:
Climbing the horse by ascending the
ramp alone or with help and sitting on
the horse that is held by the guide.
4. Step:
First, the patient is conducted on the
nature trails of the therapy premises.
When he feels enough secure for
further distances, the length of the
stroll is increased to about half an hour.

10. SWISS REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFICATION
AS HIPPOTHERAPIST FOR PEOPLE WITH MS
10 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
Professional requirements:
• Certified physiotherapist with at least one year of
experience in treatment of neurological patients;
• Basic training in functional kinematics (schooling in
analytical observation and treatment);
• Additional neurological training in treatment of adults
(basic training in Bobath or MS-training of at least 5
days)
Source: Schweizerische Gruppe für Hippotherapie-K®

11. SWISS REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFICATION
AS HIPPOTHERAPIST FOR PEOPLE WITH MS
11 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
Equine requirements:
Good riding ability and equine knowledge, experience in
handling horses, specifically guidance / working at hand.
Practical requirements:
Possibility to absolve an internship in supervised
Hippotherapy (between the clinical module and the final
exam).
Source: Schweizerische Gruppe für Hippotherapie-K®

12. WHAT ISTTHE MEANING OFTHE «K»
IN HIPPOTHERAPY-K®?
12 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
Under the umbrella term «Hippotherapy» there are
interantionally very different understandings of therapeutic
activities with horses.
Hippotherapy-K® is a clearly defined application that is used
to diffenrentiate towards other equine activities with
therapeutic and orthopaedagogic aims.
Source: Schweizerische Gruppe für Hippotherapie-K®

13. WHAT ISTTHE MEANING OFTHE «K»
IN HIPPOTHERAPY-K®?
13 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
«K®» stands for «Künzle», the name of its
founder.
Thanks to its differentiation, Hippotherapy-K®
was in 1994 officially acknowledged by health
insurance companies as medical means for
people with MS and children with cerebral palsy.
The therapy is prescribed by the doctor and is
conducted by specially trained physiotherapists.
Source: Schweizerische Gruppe für Hippotherapie-K®

14. EFFECTIVENESS OFTHETREATMENT
14 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
52%
38%
10%
promotes relaxation
and ease of tension
improves balance, trains
strengh, promotes walking
without help, reduces pain
increases wellbeing, is fun,
relaxes body and mind,
a nice experience
Evaluation of the effect, perceived by patients

15. EFFECT OF HIPPOTHERAPY-K®TOTHE GENERAL
WELLBEING OFTHE PATIENTS
15 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
Evaluation of the effect, perceived by doctors
36%
29%
21%
14%
reduces spasms, loosens muscles,
improves flexibility
improves balance and coordination
standing/walking, improves existing
skills
encourages independence, increases
quality of life and self-esteem,
improves general condition,
encourages motivation and trust
fun, enthusiasm, a nice experience

16. CONTACT ADDRESSES
16 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
Switzerland:
Verein – Schweizer Gruppe für Hippotherapie-K®:
www.hippotherapie-K.org
Germany:
DKThR – Deutsches Kuratorium für therapeutisches Reiten:
www.dkthr.de
Austria:
Österreichisches Kuratorium für therapeutisches Reiten:
www.oktr.at
Further information:
ESAAT – European Society for Animal Assisted Therapy:
www.esaat.org

17. 17 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
Thank you for your
attention!
Zürich, May 2014 / Therese Lüscher

18. Thank you!
18 | Swiss MS-Society | 12/05/2014
In the name of the 10'000 people with MS.