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Agence France-Presse

Singapore has started an initiative to expand its senior care programme using horse therapy as it grapples with the challenges of a rapidly ageing population.
“Haydays with Horses” is a two-year programme to tap into the therapeutic power of miniature horses to help elderly residents improve their physical health, cognitive functions and psychological well-being.
The wealthy city state has one of Southeast Asia’s most rapidly ageing populations and officials have warned that the “silver tsunami” is a key long-term threat.
Some organisations in Singapore have already introduced ballet lessons for the elderly and silent disco sessions for those in elder care.

Now, for the first time, hoofed, four-legged friends are joining the mix.
Pensioners are able to interact with miniature horses in “active-ageing” centres across the city, grooming the equids by combing their manes, or just stroking the animals.
The sessions are backed by the philanthropic arm of Singapore’s state investment fund, Temasek, and are free for those taking part.
The elderly are also able to pet and walk retired race or polo horses, retrained for equine therapy.
Under the scheme, experts will study the impacts of the therapy and draw up potential guidelines for policymaking.

One medical expert involved in the research said most studies on equine therapy were usually done in the West.
“We have not come across many studies which have been done in Asia,” said Mythily Subramaniam, assistant chairwoman of the Institute of Mental Health’s medical board for research.
She said if the research results proved effective, it could open the door for new and innovative methods for elder care, including robots to help cope with Singapore’s growing ranks of older citizens.
More than a decade ago, one-tenth of the population was 65 and above.
Authorities say by 2030, a quarter of the nation will be over 65, creating challenges in national healthcare and other sectors.


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News

Asia

Southeast Asia

The initiative aims to tap into the therapeutic power of miniature horses to help elderly residents improve their health and well-being


The initiative aims to tap into the therapeutic power of miniature horses to help elderly residents improve their health and well-being.


Ageing society

Animals

In Singapore, horse therapy for the elderly gallops into gear

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The initiative aims to tap into the therapeutic power of miniature horses to help elderly residents improve their health and well-being

The initiative aims to tap into the therapeutic power of miniature horses to help elderly residents improve their health and well-being