Universiti Malaysia Sabah Hospital (HUMS) will become the first hospital in Borneo to provide clinical hippotherapy, a specialized therapy that uses horse movement to aid children with disabilities.
The program was unveiled during the Sabah-level World Occupational Therapy Day 2025 celebration and represents a major advancement for healthcare and rehabilitation services in the region.
The initiative is a collaboration between HUMS, Happy Farms Hippotherapy Malaysia, and Nautica Stable. HUMS Director, Associate Professor Dr. Hajah Malehah Datuk Mohd Noh, explained that hippotherapy does more than improve physical function. “It helps restore patients’ functional abilities and self-confidence through engaging, interactive activities,” she said.
Hippotherapy uses horse movement to enhance balance, posture, core strength, sensory processing, and communication skills. Internationally recognized, it is especially beneficial for children with cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, developmental delays, and other neurological conditions.
The launch was officiated by Dr. Mohamed Yazir Adam Mohd Husin, senior principal assistant director of the Sabah State Health Department, who highlighted the importance of occupational therapy in improving quality of life. He praised the collaboration behind the program and encouraged further research and innovation in the field.
HUMS occupational therapist Nurirdiyana Idros noted that horses are chosen for their therapeutic value, as their natural movements closely mimic those of humans. “Horse movement can substitute for human leg function, helping patients—especially those with coordination challenges or cerebral palsy—strengthen core muscles and improve balance,” she said.
While hippotherapy is well-established abroad, its introduction at HUMS marks a significant step forward for rehabilitation services in Malaysia, offering new hope for children with disabilities in Borneo.
