City Pulse

“The three-dimensional movement of a horse is similar to the gait of human beings,” says Pushpa P Bopaiah to a baffled audience. Calmly addressing surprised queries from those trying to comprehend the connection between horse riding and disability is nothing new for the 50-year-old. Pushpa is the founder of Healing Horses, the first of its kind initiative in India that tries to alleviate issues related to mental disability through equine therapy.  

A trained equine therapist from the North American Rehabilitation for the Handicapped Association (NARHA), accredited to the Therapeutic Riding Centre in California, USA, Pushpa speaking about her initiative says, “Bangalore is the only city in the country to have such a rehabilitation programme. Healing Horses is an initiative for the disabled which aides in social, emotional and psychological well-being of children suffering from disabilities. It also ensures leisure time recreation and goes a long way in the development of their functional skills.” 

Healing Horses started 15 years ago. “Initially there was blanket ignorance about equine therapy. We started in April, 2000, and the first four years I did orientation for free. Meenakshi Devi, daughter of erstwhile Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, allowed me to use four horses for this therapy at Princess Academy,” says the Richmond Town resident.

Classes are conducted every weekend at the Army ASC Centre. “During holidays we have weekday classes as well. Over the years, we have had more than 2,000 students. In the ASC centre, the army allows us to use 12 of their horses. Classes are usually one hour long, and begin with warm-up sessions including stretching exercises,” she adds.  

The horses used for the therapy have to meet certain criteria. “They have to be at least 10-years-old, and their bodies should be narrow so as to enable the kids to get on them easily. Also, customised saddles are used keeping the comfort of the students in mind,” Pushpa explains. “The kids are never left alone, they are always accompanied by trained stable hands. We have 15 boys who help us with our activities,” the Richmond Town resident adds. Children are also encouraged to feed, groom and familiarise themselves with the horses.  

Those suffering from Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Emotional Disabilities, Hearing Impairments, Learning Disabilities, Mental Retardation, Multiple Sclerosis, among others can avail Healing Horses’ services. 

Benefits abundant: 

Pushpa asserts that such a therapy not only helps in recreational activities but also greatly helps improve the physical, emotional and cognitive welfare of students. “During riding, the gait of the horse stimulates the muscles of the rider as if he were intentionally exercising such muscles. This type of therapy helps activate the rider’s body as well as develop concentration, patience and balance,” she says. 

The kids take a four-kilometre ride inside the verdant army ASC centre. “The greenery helps them interact with nature, see varieties of animals like butterflies, rabbits, among others. It also helps them understand the importance of keeping the environment clean,” she adds. 

Pushpa also uses the lush green area as a substitute for boring classroom interiors that do not bode well for those suffering from autism or cerebral palsy. “There is an increased awareness of the surroundings as these sessions take place outdoors. Also, since these sessions are conducted in groups, it also increases their interpersonal skills,” she says.  

She further adds that equine therapy greatly enhances the  balance, posture, mobility of the rider. 

Intensive training:

Before starting Healing Horses, Pushpa underwent intensive training. “I used to ride for leisure earlier. At the same time, I was volunteering with underprivileged children teaching them hygiene, health and nutrition. I also enrolled at the Karnataka Parents’ Association for the Mentally Retarded, and soon after underwent training for horse riding,” she says.  

After getting trained in both the aspects, Pushpa decided to do some research and see if there are mechanisms that could bind the two seemingly different activities together. “In my research, I found out that this type of therapy was common in the United States.” 

In a bid to get deeper into the subject, Pushpa, wrote to NARHA, and also pointed out that financial constraints were holding her back from pursuing the course in US. “The faculty wrote back and offered me a scholarship. The course was 11 months long, and I would work at a ranch from 7:30 am to 7:30 pm,” she reminisces. 

It was in US that Pushpa learnt about horse grooming from scratch. “I learnt everything from grooming horses to keeping stables clean. I also learnt, firsthand, how equine therapy helped people with disabilities,” she pointed out.  

The changemaker wants to continue helping others. She adds, “Only a life lived for helping others is a life worthwhile.”

Learn more about Healing Horses.