Argentina’s equine therapy programs boost care for autism and disability

Carolina Allarague, director of the Centro de Equinoterapia de la Provincia in Santa María de las Misiones, explained that equine therapy integrates horses as co‑therapists in interdisciplinary sessions involving psychologists, assistants and equestrians. The approach is used with patients who have autism, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and other conditions, and is reported to lower cortisol levels, reduce heart rate and improve communication and social interaction.

The non‑profit Fundación Emociones al Galope, founded in 2018 and formalized in 2020, offers similar horse‑assisted therapies and recreational activities. Its interdisciplinary team includes occupational therapists, psychologists, speech‑language pathologists, kinesiologists and music therapists. The foundation now serves more than 50 active patients, aiming to make equine therapy widely accessible for people with disabilities.