Healing with Horses: Zimbabweans living with disabilities take to horse riding as therapy

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In Zimbabwe, Equine-Assisted therapy, which involves horse riding is becoming a popular tool in helping people with disabilities. CGTN's Farai Mwakutuya has more.

Friday is Sharon Marufu's favourite day. For 20 minutes she gets to ride a horse - an experience that makes her more animated and which has resulted in marked progress.

BRENDA MACHIKA SHARON'S MOTHER "Sharon's condition has improved. She can now sit up on her own, she can kneel and can roll from one place to another."

The nine-year-old diagnosed with vertebral palsy has been riding at the Healing with Horses facility in Harare, the second equine therapy centre in the country.

The first in Bulawayo, which caters for over 150 children, is the only Professional Therapeutic Horsemanship centre in Africa.

TRISH LILLIE HEALING WITH HORSES "The children don't actually know that their muscles are actually working when they are on the horses because it's a forward and up and down and sideways movement, so whilst they are just sitting or even lying on a horse, those muscles are gently being used."

Riding is also good for the mind. Daryl Nyashanu has expanded cognitive abilities.

SIHLE NYASHANU DARYL'S MOTHER "The time that he will be doing his horse riding, going right round the facility he will actually be pointing out when he sees different leaves, yellow, green and that's part of his development as well. He is turning twelve but his development age is around 18 to 24 months. So it's really been going great. He loves coming here."

Who wouldn't with such dedicated companions?

FARAI MWAKUTUYA HARARE, ZIMBABWE "Trish is a former top show jumping pony who's now fully retired to therapy. She's created an emotional bond with the children who she seems to know need tender loving care."

Though less glamorous than being paraded in the winner's circle, the rides Trish is giving here are providing immeasurable, health improving gratification. FM, CGTN, H, Z.