Programa de equoterapia: intervenção com um praticante com deficiência visual

The hippotherapy is a therapeutic and educational method that uses the horse within an interdisciplinary approach in the areas of health, education and riding, seeking the biopsychosocial development of people with disabilities and/or special needs. The method generates the practitioner positive effects, such as physical, social and psychological benefits. The goal of this study was to investigate alterations with a practitioner with visual impairment during their participation in a hippotherapy program. The study is characterized by a qualitative and descriptive research, in the form of case study. Data were collected through interviews with the mother of the practitioner and filming, photographs and systematic observation of the sessions. Improvements were found in the behavior of practicing at home, and there was progress in motor performance, and self-confidence generated by the domain horse. It is concluded that the hippotherapy program generated physical, psychological and social benefits to the practitioner.