Abstract

Aim: The study aimed at analysing reliability and validity of a scale assessing animal suitability for hippotherapy.

Material and methods: Ten horses used in therapeuting riding and 10 horses with a history of participation in steeplechase participated in the study. An observational horse assessment scale (Hippotest) to assess the appropriateness of horse reactions to a variety of situations in a hippotherapy setting, comprising 8 items, was constructed for the purpose of the study. The scale assesses horse’s reactions to daily and therapeutic contact with the man, atypical equipment, sudden distraction, separation from the herd and its performance with stillness or obeying verbal commands.

Results: The reliability and validity analysis of the Hippotest Scale yielded satisfactory results.

Conclusions: The Hippotest Scale was found to be a useful tool for horse assessment. The suggested cut-off score is 22, where higher score represents performance expected from a horse in a hippotherapy setting.