THE EQUESTRIAN REHABILITATION CENTRE

The practice of horseback riding for therapeutic purposes has been documented as early as the 4th century BC in the works of Hippocrates of Kos, who recommended long rides to combat anxiety and insomnia. The first scientific documentation on the subject can be attributed to the physician Giuseppe Benvenuti (1759). However, it was not until the end of World War I that horses were incorporated into rehabilitation programs.

Hippotherapy, or therapeutic horseback riding, is indicated not only for classical conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism, or Down syndrome but also for acquired conditions resulting from trauma-related injuries. With its extraordinary sensitivity, adaptability, and intelligence, the horse has always been considered a valuable support for rehabilitation. By evoking emotions in the rider, it is particularly effective in stimulating the development of residual abilities.

For these reasons, the first project of the Fabrizio Moretti Foundation was to build an excellent hippotherapy centre in Prato, in the heart of Tuscany, where children and youth in disadvantaged economic, social, or family conditions can access these services. The centre has a covered riding arena, an outdoor riding arena, a stable, and all the necessary facilities for therapeutic activities. The environment is designed to be safe, comfortable, and conducive to the well-being of both the riders and the horses. The goal is to provide a supportive and inclusive space where individuals can benefit from the therapeutic effects of horseback riding.

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