Abstract:

This study aims to study the views of parents with special needs on the education of hypotherapy. In research, the basic quality research model is used from the quality research approaches. The research data was collected through a semi-configured interview form. In the analysis of the data obtained in the research, the content analysis technique was used. The research group consists of seven parents with a child with special needs living in the province of Istanbul. The opinions of parents of children with special needs who participate in the hypotherapy education in the study were gathered under 9 topics. These topics, respectively, are presented with the titles: “Guidelines,” “consciousness about hypertherapy education,” “motivation,” “educational practices and expectations,” “General views about hypertherapy,” “physical development,” “Mental skills development,” “Mental state development” and “Social development”. In total, 31 subjects have been submitted. According to the outcomes of the study, the parents have not enough knowledge about the education of hypotherapy, their children have started hypotherapy with the guidance of doctors, institutions and teachers, the activities on the horse should be diversified and the training time should be greater and the sessions should be increased. The use of horse for therapeutic purposes has a positive effect on the tendency of children to establish a connection with animals, they recommended to all children with special needs.

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