Ecobreves – CUBA: Horses for the Cure

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HAVANA, Dec 5 2005 (IPS) - Experts from Cuba and Uruguay are working to build a Latin American alliance to promote “equine therapy”, using horses as a therapuetical tool. The experts are also thinking about opening a school in Cuba, given the country's methodology and scientific experience, Néstor Nieves, president of Uruguay's National Assocation of Equestrian Rehabilitation, ANRE. To complement the professional training of the Cuban experts in rehabilitation, Uruguay would add its experience in raising and training horses.

Equine therapy is used to help people affected by psychosomatic or emotional illness, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, cardiopathies and brain lesions.

The results are “amazing ” in children who are blind and deaf, “who often at age five or older still can't walk, but with treatment they achieve it,” said Cuban expert Carlos Lleras.