"You cannot underestimate the psychological impact hippotherapy has on people's general sense of wellbeing. They just love it," is how Riding for the Disabled Carine's coordinator Charissa describes hippotherapy.

Hippotherapy is one of Anderson Neurological and Developmental Services most popular treatments run in conjunction with Riding for the Disabled in Carine and the South-West.

It involves horse riding, where the movements from participant's sitting on a horse mimic the ranges of movement the pelvis goes through when walking.

The centre has around 15 horses and ponies which are used by specially trained physios, occupational therapists and speech pathologists who use the three-dimensional movement of a horse to facilitate movement through their clients.

It helps strengthen the trunk muscles and diaphragm which affects speech, swallowing, balance and core strength.

While hippotherapy was initially used for children living with Cerebral Palsy, it is now more widely used among adults who've acquired a head or spinal injury, stroke, a new Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis diagnosis, along with children who live with a genetic or from birth neurological disorder or syndrome.

"The best thing for participants is that they don't realise they are doing therapy, in their mind they are just sitting on a horse," Charissa said.

"For therapists, there are so many factors at play, for example the dynamic base of support and the rhythmical movement of a horse can affect tone in a positive way.

"You also have the benefit of warmth as the horse walks and the child sits on the horse's back.

"The warmth that can be generated can be transferred up through the child to reduce tone.

"We see a lot of differences in tone, mostly a reduction if they are hypotonic, if they have increased tone, we see that relax in a session.

"There are also all the beautiful psychosocial things that happen as well, because you are outside and interacting with nature and interacting with these amazing animals which are so intuitive.

"Because you get stronger in your diaphragm you can project more and also control your breath more, so you have the endurance to speak more clearly."

"It is a beautiful thing."