Over the past year, parents in Ha Noi have been sending their autistic kids to the Ha Noi Horse Club in Cau Giay District to practice horse riding in a bid to improve their psychological health.

A child smiles while taking a horse for a walk at the Ha Noi Horse Club in Cau Giay District. Simple activities like taking horses for a walk, feeding or fondling them help children become more confident. Tuoi Tre

In addition to autistic kids, the club has also received children with cerebral palsy.

At the club, experts consider each learner's individual personalities and overall health to offer appropriate lessons to help children reduce hyperactivity and assist them in rebuilding self-confidence.

Nguyen Thi Hoa Hop, a horse riding instructor, said the horse is a special animal which requires a sophisticated thought process and intelligence to be ridden.

It also requires riders to be patient, demonstrate perseverance as well as quick reflexes.

For these reasons, spending time playing with horses helps raise emotional awareness in children as well as reward them for good behavior.

In addition, taking care of horses teaches children to love and care about other people, and how to express their personal feelings, integrate and be confident in life.

According to Doctor Thanh Ngoc Minh, head of the psychopathology department of the Central Children's Hospital, autistic kids have been encouraged to play with animals for a long time.

However, he said there is still a need for specific scientific research to evaluate the efficacy of horse riding as a treatment method.

Playing with horses should be considered a support measure in addition to medicine and psychological therapy, the doctor added.

(Source: Tuoi Tre News)