At the turn of the century, England recognized riding for the disabled as a beneficial form of therapy and offered this physical opportunity to World War I wounded soldiers at the Oxford Hospital.When Liz Hartel of Denmark won the silver medal for dressage at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Game despite having paralysis from polio, both medical and equine professionals in the United States joined the enthusiasm.
Today, disabled riders compete nationally and internationally to demonstrate their remarkable accomplishments. Medical doctors, physical and occupational therapists, psychiatrists, and teachers all recognize and applaud the merits of therapeutic horsemanship.