PERFIL DOS CENTROS DE EQUOTERAPIA DO ESTADO DE GOIÁS

Abstract

Hippotherapy is a therapeutic method, involving the horse as a form of stimulus for the development of the practitioner's body and mind. Equine therapy activity has grown considerably in Brazil in recent years. In this sense, the objective was to analyze the profile of hippotherapy centers in operation in the state of Goiás. An online questionnaire was sent, regarding the characteristics of the activities, to hippotherapy centers active in the state of Goiás linked to the National Hippotherapy Association (ANDE-BRASIL) and/or the National Rural Learning Service (Senar) Goiás. The statistical analysis of the data was performed using the R software, using the chi-square test with a 5% significance level (p <0.05). Ten centers answered the questionnaire, being: five affiliates and one member of ANDE-BRASIL; nine Senar partners and eight partners from the local City Hall. In addition to these partnerships, five centers reported receiving support from public bodies and six from private companies. Four of the centers are non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Among the centers of this study, the oldest had its activities started from 2005. Nine of the centers of hippotherapy had the minimum recommended multidisciplinary team, with physiotherapist, psychologist and equitor. Some still counted on the performance of other professionals, such as: speech therapists, occupational therapists, pedagogues, physical educators and interns. All teams in the study had a riding therapy course, and at least one of the members participated in training in the last 12 months. The number of practitioners served ranged from seven to 82. The centers operated one, two, three or five days a week. Each practitioner was treated to a free weekly session lasting 30 minutes. Those attended had various diagnoses related to physical and/or mental disorders. Even if transport is not available through the centers, some of them are visited by people from neighboring cities. Number of equines was one to six. The reported infrastructure was: waiting room, adapted bathroom, office, storeroom, playroom, riding arena, roundhouse, stalls, saddlery, tracks and outdoor patio. There was significative difference for some characteristics between ANDE and Senar centers. In conclusion, a profile of the riding therapy centers in the state of Goiás was drawn up.