Almeria city’s Hospital Torrecárdenas has introduced hippotherapy sessions for mental health patients at a local horse-riding centre, in partnership with the city hall and Escuela Indaliana de Arte Ecuestre. Hippotherapy uses the movement of horses to provide therapeutic benefits, helping reduce anxiety and aggressive instincts while promoting tranquility. Patients engage not only in riding but also in caring for the horses through feeding and grooming, fostering a deeper connection and responsibility.

The program, consisting of 12 subsidized sessions, helps participants improve communication, empathy, cooperation, and emotional regulation. Personal stories, like that of Hilario who quickly gains the trust of a typically unapproachable horse, highlight the positive impact of the therapy. Psychologist Gloria Bautista notes that patients become more aware of their emotions and impulses, benefiting holistically from the interaction with the horses and the structured activities.